DAILY REFLECTION

Monday 6th May

Reading: Psalm 147

1 Praise the Lord!
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
3 He heals the broken hearted
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
6 The Lord lifts up the downtrodden;
he casts the wicked to the ground.

Reflection:

God is over all creation and yet His love pours out for the broken-hearted.

Psalm 147:3 follows the same theme, "He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds"

He promises in Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

We have an amazingly kind God who sent Jesus among us with that same heart. We, who follow in his footsteps are called to reach out to all people in times of distress, to tell of God's care and remind us of His ability to mend wounds and restore spirits.

As Jesus did, so we lay our lives down for others thinking of others before ourselves.

Prayer:

Lord, help us to be your hands and heart to those around us. Amen
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Friday 3rd May

Reading: Psalm 138
1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
2 I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted your name and your word
above everything.
3 On the day I called, you answered me;
you increased my strength of soul.

4 All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of your mouth.
5 They shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he perceives from far away.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
and your right hand delivers me.
8 The Lord will fulfil his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures fore

Reflection:

Psalm 138 reveals the intimate connection between heartfelt praise and God's deliverance, especially in times of darkness. Offering our whole hearts in gratitude for God's deliverance in our lives shows our trust on His abundant, never ending love.

In our darkest moments, when hope seems far away, turning our hearts towards God becomes an act of faith. This psalm teaches us that even amidst trials, God's faithfulness endures. When we offer our entire being in praise, we are saying that we trust Him in and over our circumstances even when we can’t see it. It's saying that our way out of difficult circumstances comes not from our strength, but from His unwavering love.

Prayer: Lord, I give you my whole heart what ever life throws at me. I trust you for these days whatever they bring.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thursday 2nd May

Reading: Psalm 148

1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels praise him, all his host!

3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.
6 He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.[a]

7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!

9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!

11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and women alike, old and young together!

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!

Reflection:

Psalm 148 calls on all creation to praise the Lord, from the heavens to the earth. This colourful song reminds us that praise and joy are not just acts of worship but a way of aligning ourselves with God's purpose. When we embrace praise, we acknowledge the beauty and majesty of God's creation, fostering gratitude and humility. In this alignment, we find joy and peace, understanding our place within the grandeur of creation. Praise connects us intimately with God, bringing us closer to His heart and His will, transforming our lives into reflections of His glory.

Prayer: Lord, turn our hearts to praise. Your world and your way are worthy of our gratitude. 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________