Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15 (NRSV)
Devotion
The psalmist’s invitation is to give thanks to the Lord morning and night—to sing praises to God’s name with voice and instrument—to know from whence our true joy comes. Our state is in a severe drought this year. Reports of fires on this wind-swept prairie are coming with increased frequency. As farmers ready the soil to plant the next crop, it is with hope that rain will come to water both soil and seed, that the seed will sprout and grow, that the mixture of sun and rain and the farmer’s toil will bring forth an abundant crop, that the harvest will be plentiful and feed the world. When our Sunday morning worship was about to begin, a gentle rain began to fall and grew steady for a time. How grateful we all were to feel that rain. Even as we knew that we still needed more, yet we knew we were not alone in giving thanks when the birds began to sing their praises too.
Prayer
We give you thanks, O God, for the rain that waters the earth and nourishes life and brings forth fruit and grain to feed the world. Today we sing praises along with the birds and all of creation. Amen.