Psalm 19

We are not quite half way through our Journey through Lent. And, if you are anything like me, you have started to struggle with the disciplines we decided to engage this year. Whether it is prayer, extra scripture reading, or giving up fried foods, the struggle has started in earnest. What are we to do?

Sometimes people turn to the Bible as a sort of Self Help Book. Let’s see what today’s readings have to say…

The first half of the first verse of the nineteenth Psalm… well, it doesn’t exactly help us figure out how we can engage God more faithfully or help us engage the discipline of Lent. It reads, The heavens are telling the glory of God (Psalm 19:1a, NRSV).

No, not a self-help-esque, pithy phrase we can rattle off our tongue to feel like we are accomplishing something with the help of God. Rather, a reminder…

This Psalm is a reminder that, even when we find faith difficult all around us are signs of God’s wonder and joy. This verse is a reminder that, even when belief seems nowhere to be found it is under every leaf and stone. This song is a reminder that, even when our praises are dull and life-less, creation itself breaks forth in praise.

Lord God. Help us, when we cannot find the words to praise you, to join with creation itself and spring forth with floods of praise. Amen.

~ Pastor John Sipf, St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church (rural Falls City) and St. Mark’s Ev. Lutheran Church (Verdon)