Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
MONDAY, June 13
Psalm 77. My grief is this: the right hand of the Most High has lost its power.
What a stunning verse. Who among us has not felt this way occasionally? Many of us, though, would be reluctant to give voice to these words. Yet here in the middle of our sacred scriptures is expressed the fear that God has lost his power to intervene.
That is not the only thing remarkable about this verse. This verse is also a turning point for the psalmist. The next words from the psalmist declare that remembering the mighty works of God in the past will be the antidote to such grief. From there the psalm declares God’s power for nine verses.
Sometimes we have to choose what our meditations will be. Bringing our grief to God can be a comfort to the faithful. But the challenge that follows is to set aside grief and trust God’s power, no matter how the situation looks. Besides, even if God’s right hand were tired, he still has the left one.
All sorrows should appear but shadows beside that of [God’s] absence. And all the greatness of riches and estates swallowed up in the light of his favor.
—Thomas Traherne
PRAY for the Diocese of Oji River (Province of the Niger, Nigeria)
Ps 80 * 77, [79]; 1 Samuel 1:1-20; Acts 1:1-14; Luke 20:9-19
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
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