Blessed By God's Faithfulness

"Today's Devotion" For April 28, 2006

Read: Psalm 118:1-24; Lamentations 3:19-27

BLESSED BY GOD'S FAITHFULNESS

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:21-22)

As I write this morning, it's a typical spring day in Wisconsin. The air's a little "nippy," but the sun is shining, the sky is blue, the tulips are blooming, the grass is green again, and myriad perennials are poking their noses through the soil, seeking the warm of the sun, ready to burst forth with their blossoms and blooms for another season. It's a marvelous day that even the news in the morning paper, much of which reminds me that we live in an imperfect, sinful world, can't dampen my enthusiasm for the possibilities of today.

Over the past week in Milwaukee, where I live, three off-duty police officers accused of nearly beating a man to death, were found "not guilty." The reason for the verdict, according to some of the jurors, was that, despite the fact the beating took place at a party and continued even after on-duty officers were called to the scene, no one saw anything or could identify the assailants. As an added dimension to this acquittal for many in the community is the fact that the accused officers are white, the victim is mixed race, and the jury was all-white. To add fuel to the fire (at least in some quarters), four young men, three of them African-American (one was white), were found guilty of slashing tires on 25 vans which were to be used by the opposing political party in the last Presidential election to get people to the polls. The judge gave them jail time (no more than six months for any of them) because their actions weren’t just a harmless prank but messed with the right of people to vote.

Of course, the response has been less than positive, both because of the earlier acquittals of the police officers in the beating trial, but also because two of the young men sentenced in the tire-slashing trial are the sons of two prominent political figures. Tensions are mounting in the city - enough that it's quite possible that people won't even notice how beautiful a day God has given us - and how sad is that? All too often, when we're faced with situations that challenge our sense of justice or our belief in the institutions that are supposed to protect and serve the people, we go blind to the blessings God is giving us at the same time. All too often, in such circumstances, instead of recognizing such situations as opportunities to further trust in the Lord and look for His compassion, mercy, grace, and love at work, we get tied up by the emotions the apparent injustices and inequities of life throw at us.

As far as God is concerned, such a positive outlook on life in the face of the inequities and hardships of life, is very much in keeping with His Will for us. We are encouraged by the Psalmist to see each day as a "day that the Lord has made," and to, therefore, "rejoice and be glad in it" (Ps. 118:24). The Prophet Jeremiah reminds us that "because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning..." (Lamentations 3:22-23a) and sustain us in the face of everything that would bring harm to us in body, soul, or spirit.

As Jeremiah wirtes in response to the awesome presence and blessings of God in the world and in our lives, "great is Your faithfulness" (Lam. 3:23b). As you go about your day today, and every other day as well, take a look around you. See God's faithfulness in the birds of the air, the trees and the grass, the flowers, the bees, the animals, the people, and all the other things in creation that make life on earth a beautiful thing. Watch for God's hand at work in the myriad places and ways He touches people's lives and give them their "daily bread." Be filled with the sure and certain trust and confidence that God is ever faithful to His promises and each day He fulfills them in us - forgiving us of all our sins, providing for our "daily bread," and filling us with His peace and presence through the power of His Word and the blessings of Holy Baptism. It is, truly, a marvelous, glorious day, today, for "this is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" (Ps. 118:24)

Prayer: Father, thank You for the glorious day today is - whether it's the bnght, sunny, marvelous day where I am, or even a cold and dreary day in another part of the world. Help me to realize that each day, regardless of its "brightness" or "dreariness" is nevertheless a day that You have made. Each day, in Your faithfulness, You provide "daily bread" for me and all of creation. Too often Lord, I ignore Your faithfulness and that You keep Your promises, even in the little things, and set my eyes on those things I want that are not good or pleasing to You. Forgive me, Father, for my unfaithfulness to You even as You are being faithful to me. Grant me the power and presence of Your Holy Spirit, working through the Word, so that I might have eyes that see Your hand in all things, and a heart that truly trusts Your faithfulness and the blessings I receive from You because You are faithful. Help me to live a grateful life as a true witness to others of Your faithfulness and Your blessings to all. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.