Bible reading for the day: Psalm 139 (This is the
testimony of a human being who stands before the judge of the whole world. He
knows that someone sees through him, to the very bottom of his soul, that he
cannot flee, and that he is from his very birth followed by God’s look. – H.J.
Kraus)
O Lord, you have searched me and know me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot grasp it.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot grasp it.
7 Where shall I go from
your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
13 For you formed my
inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious to me are
your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
If I were done for, I would still be with you.
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
If I were done for, I would still be with you.
19 Oh that you
would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
20 They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
22 I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.
O men of blood, depart from me!
20 They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
22 I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and
know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting]
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting]
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for
your intimate, profound knowledge of me… you see me far more clearly than I see
myself. In you my sin is done for and I am created anew. Thank you! By your
knowledge of me humble me O Lord; try my case in your court… and lead me in the
way everlasting; through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hymn: follow this
link to a new hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the
Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmge-ycIkoo
“I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth…
What does this mean?
I believe that God has created me and all that exists, that
he has given me and still preserves my body and soul, my eyes and ears, my
reason and all my senses, together with food and clothing, home and family, and
all my property. Every day he provides abundantly for all the needs of my life.
He protects me from all danger and
guards and keeps me from every evil. He does this purely out of fatherly and
divine goodness and mercy, though I do not deserve it. Therefore I ought to thank,
praise, serve, and obey him. This is most certainly true! (from The Small
Catechism, by Martin Luther, ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
Benediction: The
peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Phil 4.7
*There are many patterns for devotions. This pattern has been followed by God’s
people for centuries.
**The T.R.I.P. approach to
prayer is based on the way Martin Luther prayed and taught others to pray. It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid
Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria , MN
T:
thanksgiving
R: regret
(repentance)
I:
intercession (asking God to take a specific action)
P:
plan or purpose
Reading a biblical text and
then applying this method gives one a sound, simple way to form one’s
prayers...not to mention that it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on
God’s Word and talk to God.
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