Day 8. God is Great

Adapted from Psalm 145. I extol You, my God and King. I bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I bless You and praise Your name forever and ever. Great are You, Lord, and highly to be praised. Your greatness is unsearchable…and I tell of Your greatness. You are gracious and merciful, slow to anger and great in loving kindness. You are good to all, and Your mercies are over all Your works. All Your works shall give thanks to You, Oh Lord…You sustain all who fall and raise up all who are bowed down. All eyes look to You…You are righteous in all Your ways and kind in all Your deeds. You are near to those who call upon You in truth. You fulfill the desire of those who revere You; You hear my cry and will save me. I know You keep me among those who love You…my mouth will speak praise to You to bless Your holy name forever and ever. Amen.

Have you ever felt absolute peace and joy? Have you ever looked at the sunset, or a newborn, or a snow-topped mountain and thought how remarkable it is to see God’s handiwork? God’s greatness is all around us. It can be a smile or a note of encouragement from a friend. It can be a good night’s sleep or a meal shared. One thing is for sure: the greatness of God will not be contained—it will radiate into every nook and cranny. So when I read the words: “I know You keep me among those who love You,” I remember how inclusive God is. God in all of God’s greatness values each of us. What will it take for us to see that person beside us as a friend in God? Will we respect that God sees something in each of us us that God values? Will we remember that God will sustain all who fall and raise up all who are bowed down?