Today’s Reflection
God wants us to know that God holds us with the same certainty whether we are in sorrow or well-being. … For it is God’s will that we cling to God’s comfort with all our might. For bliss is lasting, without end, and pain is passing and shall be brought to nothing for those who will be saved. Therefore it is not God’s will that we follow the feeling of pain with sorrow and mourning, but we will suddenly pass over and remain in the endless delight that is God.
—Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of Julian of Norwich, Edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe (Upper Room Books, 2017)
Today’s Question
Who needs a reminder today that God holds them whether in sorrow or well-being? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
—Psalm 119:28 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
God, our Maker, Lover, and Keeper,
Thank you for the everlasting love you have for all you have made.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
The Upper Room is committed to a ministry that is increasingly global, antiracist, and ecumenical. This is the work of discipleship and spiritual formation.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
6 Comments
Maybe our little crew here needs this reminder. Yes, He holds us – and because He lives – we can ALL face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. He holds the future and life is worth the living! (Thanks for the reminder of this hymn/song, Rick.)
I love the line from above ” For bliss is lasting, without end, and pain is passing”. It is very hard, in the midst of struggle, to claim this as true. I know it deep within, but in moments of uncomfortability – I must work very hard to re-direct my thoughts.
Father – place a song in our hearts – bring to mind the words Marcy, Rick and others share – and might we sing our way out of our heads, back into step with You.
Two songs based on Psalms 119:25-32
Breath Into Me Oh Lord
When the battle makes me weary
It seems that I’ve lost ground
It’s so hard to hear Your voice Lord
With distractions all around
I try to lift my hands, to give You praise
But then a spirit of heaviness
Tries to shield Your face, so I’m saying breathe
Breathe into me oh Lord, the breath of life
So that my spirit would be whole
And my soul made right
Breathe into me oh Lord, day by day
So that my heart is pure before You, always, always
Unto Thee oh Lord do I lift up my soul
It’s only by Your hand
That I can be made whole
So Lord breathe on me
And revive my spirit within
And I’ll never be the same
Condemnation tries to hold me
Like a prisoner in chains
And the weight of my burdens
Is calling out my name
That’s when I lift up my voice worship You
Because I know
You promised You would wash me
Jesus wash me white as snow
Unto Thee oh Lord do I lift up my soul
It’s only by Your hand, that I can be made whole
So Lord let Your breath revive me again
And I’ll never be the same
I will never be the same, I will never be the same.
Fred Hammond
My Soul Lies Cleaving to the Dust
My soul lies cleaving to the dust;
Lord, give me life divine;
From vain desires and every lust
Turn off these eyes of mine.
I need the influence of Thy grace
To speed me in Thy way,
Lest I should loiter in my race,
Or turn my feet astray.
When sore afflictions press me down,
I need Thy quickening powers;
Thy Word that I have rested on
Shall help my heaviest hours.
Are not Thy mercies sovereign still,
And Thou a faithful God?
Wilt Thou not grant me warmer zeal
To run the heav’nly road?
Does not my heart Thy precepts love,
And long to see Thy face?
And yet how slow my spirits move
Without enlivening grace!
Then shall I love Thy Gospel more,
And ne’er forget Thy Word,
When I have felt its quickening power,
To draw me near the Lord.
Isaac Watts
Everyone needs reminded that God holds us at all times and in every circumstance.
Prayers for Jill as God holds her and her friend in the sorrow of her cancer diagnosis.
Prayers for Marcy as God holds her in her physical pain.
Prayers for Ally as God holds her and David and Pas in their sorrow for Mary’s passing.
Prayers for Rick as God holds him in his pain of moving, finding a home and missing a semester of school.
Prayers for Robert as he holds him in his pain for Erich’s lack of belief.
Prayers for my mom as God holds her as she continues to rehab and recover from her operation in the rehab facility.
I am glad God holds Megan and I as I navigate the divorce and the situation with h. It is difficult and only God can see me through as well as this group of awesome friends in Christ. Thank you
Sometimes I do feel I need a reminder that God is present and loving always. Lately, I have been feeling like I’m dangling by thread. Remembering times when I felt the Lord’s presence and know that God is the reason I got over reminds me that God is with me, even when I feel far away from God.
David’s spirits are better yesterday, but he is still sad when he thinks of Mary. I am trying to trust God regarding my sister Amy’s health issue. Please lift her up. In my prayers, I have been claiming the promise of Romans 8:26: when I can’t pray, I ask the Holy Spirit to intercede.
Thank you Jill and Rick, for the words from Because He Lives; one of my mama’s favorites. Missing her and Daddy today on what would be their 59th wedding anniversary. Lifting up Rick as he deals with the stress of his move and missing his semester. Thank you Marcy, for the wonderful songs. Fred Hammond is one of my favorite gospel singers/ Thanks for the Isaac Watts hymn as well. Wasn’t familiar with this one., but it touched me where I am. Julie, thank you for your prayers and know that I’m praying for you and Megan through this divorce process. I’m so thankful for our group. Thank you for taking me in. I pray we all feel God’s love today. Be safe and be blessed.
When I read today’s writings, I felt the holy spirt. We all need that reminder. I realized too, it’s not the move or school that is the hardest, it’s our current times. I got caught up in fear with COVID-19, the news and the political climate over the 8 months. I’m trying to do all the right things and adhering to all the suggestions. Social distancing has indeed been difficult for me as a social person. I confused perfect love with the hugs and social interactions with friends and family. I also deeply miss in person worship and gatherings. Moving during the pandemic has also been difficult at times. It is hard when you are in temporary housing and this is a difficult time to meet and make new friends. As a good friend and Pastor reminded me in the beginning of all this, it’s in the waiting which is the hardest, we hear God. It reminded me of Job’s story. Fear can be a corroding thread in our lives. You have all taught me and reminded me that we don’t do this alone. Music, songs and hymns have always lifted me up. It breaks the barriers when I get caught up in my head.
Marcy thank you for bringing new hymns to me for some I have never heard before. Today’s touched me as Pslam 119 is one of my favorites. This song Breath In Me Oh Lord is a perfect prayer for me today, as is the second. I will search to see if i can find a recording of it. I do hope you are healing and feeling better. Jill, I’m holding you and your friend in prayers. Julie, keeping you and Megan in prayer as well. I pray that your situation with H is resolved quickly. That you may find safety and a life of happiness and peace. I was sorry to hear of your’s and David’s loss. I pray that your sister Amy’s illness is resolved. I’m praying for Robert you have come to mind so often, as I remember your move. I pray all is well with you and your son.
Today I’ve had Josh‘s song on my heart today.
“You Raise Me Up”
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up… To more than I can be
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up… To more than I can be
A long and very mixed day, positives and negatives in abundance. Food shopping done,, long walks and drives, hopefully the start of two solutions, needed supplies in the mail, no luck fixing the faucet, some good work on models, a message off to relatives in Germany,. help for Anneliese, phone tag with a plumber, a sad drama episode, the day ending with this refection , Prayers for all, this would have been Mom’s 112 th birthday, Thank you for prayers and music lyrics, they pick us all up. Thank You, Lord.
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