PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Friday

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 30 “Will the dust praise you?”

Time to reflect: I love this idea which we see in several Psalms, that one reason to remain alive is that it gives us a chance to praise God a little longer. This could be viewed cynically: the Psalmist is just trying to butter up God to stay alive. Or it can be taken at face value: the Psalmists truly wants to praise God as long as possible. I choose to believe the second reason.

Moving through the day: Pray to God that you may remain healthy as long as possible in order to serve God as long as possible and, as health diminishes, new ways of serving.

Scripture:

 1 I will exalt you, O LORD,
       for you lifted me out of the depths
       and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

 2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help
       and you healed me.

 3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave [b] ;
       you spared me from going down into the pit.

 4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
       praise his holy name.

 5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
       but his favor lasts a lifetime;
       weeping may remain for a night,
       but rejoicing comes in the morning.

 6 When I felt secure, I said,
       "I will never be shaken."

 7 O LORD, when you favored me,
       you made my mountain [c] stand firm;
       but when you hid your face,
       I was dismayed.

 8 To you, O LORD, I called;
       to the Lord I cried for mercy:

 9 "What gain is there in my destruction, [d]
       in my going down into the pit?
       Will the dust praise you?
       Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

 10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;
       O LORD, be my help."

 11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
       you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

 12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
       O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.