Psalm 44:

To the leader. Of the Korahites. A Maskil.

1 We have heard with our ears, O God, our ancestors have told us,

what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old:

2  you with your own hand drove out the nations,

but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free;

3  for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm give them victory;

but your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your countenance, for you delighted in them.

4  You are my King and my God;

you command victories for Jacob.

5  Through you we push down our foes;

through your name we tread down our assailants.

6  For not in my bow do I trust,

nor can my sword save me.

7  But you have saved us from our foes,

and have put to confusion those who hate us.

8  In God we have boasted continually,

and we will give thanks to your name forever. [Selah]

This praise song, attributed to the sons of Korah, celebrates the activity of God in their lives, and responds with a commitment (vow) to “give thanks to your name forever”.  . Beware of the temptation to treat God as our service-provider whose sole task is to provide us with good things in life. This psalm can become a prayerful reminder to live in an awareness of the unmerited blessings shown us by our Creator

Ordinary 17

39 God, Our Source of Hope

The Scripture passage for the day is drawn from Reuben Job and Norman Shawchuck, A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and other Servants, (Nashville, The Upper Room 1983), 243.
This reflection is from my own devotional exercises for the day.