Today’s WORD (Text) Psalm 22:25-31
25/ From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear him. 26/ The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord. May your hearts live forever! 27/ All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. 28/ For dominion belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. 29/ To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for him. 30/ Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord, 31/ and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it.
Today’s Witness
A Forecast of the Beloved Community! What a glorious vision is expressed in Psalm 22 of a community filled with harmony, sufficient food, exuberant worship, and long life. This psalm brings to mind one of the fellowship hymns in the African American tradition, “I’m gwine sit at the welcome table, some of these days, Hallelujah! I’m gwine feast on milk and honey, some of these days, Hallelujah!” What a joyful day it will be when all God’s children can lay aside the animosity, conflicts, and divisions of this world, and live according to God’s glorious vision at a time wherein God reigns over all the nations. Life in the world we know can be tiresome, disillusioning, and can lead to a level of cynicism where a vision such as the one described is deemed a fairy tale, or wishful thinking. Nevertheless, let us dare to believe that the psalmist has accurately represented God’s vision for human community.
Today’s Invitation
Consider the aspect of the vision above that gives you the greatest consolation or joy. Is there a specific act or practice that you can institute in your local community, congregation, or family to move yourself and others closer to the realization of that vision?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, we thank you for this beautiful depiction of the harmony that is possible in a community where your vision, values, and unconditional love reign above all of the choices and behaviors of humankind. Lord, we invite you into our local communities. Give us your grace, your spirit, and your love that we might live into the vision described. Teach us to love one another for love is of God. Deliver us from evil and liberate us to live freely in accordance with your divine words. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
- Where will I follow Christ today?
- To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
- How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Church of the King on Unsplash
Today’s WORD (Text) Psalm 22:25-31
25/ From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear him. 26/ The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord. May your hearts live forever! 27/ All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. 28/ For dominion belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. 29/ To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for him. 30/ Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord, 31/ and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it.
Today’s Witness
A Forecast of the Beloved Community! What a glorious vision is expressed in Psalm 22 of a community filled with harmony, sufficient food, exuberant worship, and long life. This psalm brings to mind one of the fellowship hymns in the African American tradition, “I’m gwine sit at the welcome table, some of these days, Hallelujah! I’m gwine feast on milk and honey, some of these days, Hallelujah!” What a joyful day it will be when all God’s children can lay aside the animosity, conflicts, and divisions of this world, and live according to God’s glorious vision at a time wherein God reigns over all the nations. Life in the world we know can be tiresome, disillusioning, and can lead to a level of cynicism where a vision such as the one described is deemed a fairy tale, or wishful thinking. Nevertheless, let us dare to believe that the psalmist has accurately represented God’s vision for human community.
Today’s Invitation
Consider the aspect of the vision above that gives you the greatest consolation or joy. Is there a specific act or practice that you can institute in your local community, congregation, or family to move yourself and others closer to the realization of that vision?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, we thank you for this beautiful depiction of the harmony that is possible in a community where your vision, values, and unconditional love reign above all of the choices and behaviors of humankind. Lord, we invite you into our local communities. Give us your grace, your spirit, and your love that we might live into the vision described. Teach us to love one another for love is of God. Deliver us from evil and liberate us to live freely in accordance with your divine words. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Church of the King on Unsplash