Surprisingly, the Revised Common Lectionary, which is used to guide the scriptural reference for worship and prayer across the world, circles around to some of the same Psalms within the year. Psalm 19 is on repeat this year. And so we listen and pray with it freshly.
It seems that we cannot receive enough invitations to lift our eyes up and fine tune our hearing. God’s glory is on display everywhere. If we are living at a pace that allows us to pause, notice it, and dwell within it, we give this glory permission to shape and nourish us.
We might be inclined to need extravagant beauty to capture our attention, yet God’s glory is everywhere including the ordinary, mundane, and even in the wretched.
Mysteriously, the glory of God may not be perceived in a quick glace nor contained by the words we use to describe what we take in.
You are invited to notice something this day that seems to be calling you to take another look – to pause a little longer. You might notice the way all of your senses are taking in what you are noticing. See what kind of descriptions seem to fit what you are contemplating. It’s okay to go slow and struggle to find the words that describe this glory full of mystery. See if you can linger in the mystery of this glory without needing to understand it fully. You might be surprised by the grace that comes simply through taking in the glory of God with God, right there with you.
May there be grace upon grace this day, enabling you to be open to glory all around you.
Psalm 19 (NIV)
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, a phrase, an image, or a feeling that “shimmered” as you listened? Savor this with gentle hospitality.
Reflect on what you heard. Notice any felt sense that seems present. Listen with unhurried curiosity to what else may come. Perhaps you want to draw or journal this experience.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some moments of quiet with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.