Day 114 | Saturday, 11 July 2020

Day 114  |  Saturday, 11 July 2020
 
As of July10th at 3:00 PM, the number of COVID-19 cases in the county has risen.  There are now 170 cases.  Battalion 3, which is were we are located, has taken a jump and our battalion is now the highest in the county at 65.  Battalion 1 has 65 cases, battalion 2 has 27 and battalion 4 has 14.  Is this a reason to be concerned?  I would say yes because it is the battalion in which we live that has increased the most in recent days.  Go to the Chautauqua County web site and look for the COVID-19 information. 

 I want to share Psalm 84 today.  It was written as a hymn for pilgrims to Mount Zion.

 Psalm 84

1. How lovely is your dwelling place,                                 Lord of heavenly forces!
2. My very being longs, even yearns,
       for the Lord’s courtyards.
   My heart and my body
       will rejoice out loud to the living God!
3. Yes, the sparrow too has found a home there;
       the swallow has found herself a nest
       where she can lay her young beside your altars,
       Lord of heavenly forces, my king, my God!
4. Those who live in your house are truly happy;
       they praise you constantly.  Selah 
5.  Those who put their strength in you are truly happy;
       pilgrimage is in their hearts.
6.  As they pass through the Baca Valley,
       they make it a spring of water.
       Yes, the early rain covers it with blessings.
7.  They go from strength to strength,
       until they see the supreme God in Zion.
8.  Lord God of heavenly forces,
       hear my prayer;
       listen closely, Jacob’s God! Selah
9.  Look at our shield, God;
       pay close attention to the face of your anointed one!
10.  Better is a single day in your courtyards
        than a thousand days anywhere else!
    I would prefer to stand outside the entrance of my God’s house
        than live comfortably in the tents of the wicked!
11. The Lord is a sun and shield;
        God is favor and glory.
    The Lord gives—doesn’t withhold!—good things
        to those who walk with integrity.
12. Lord of heavenly forces,
        those who trust in you are truly happy! 

Lord, Our God, you are our dwelling place, our protection.  We put our trust in you saving grace to surround us in our daily lives.  Reassure our troubled spirits and restore us to your peace.  We are happy to be your children.  Give us rest and shine on those who need you most these days.  Lord, hear our prayers.  Amen (Thank you for the much, needed rain)

Today: prayers for those in our county dealing with the virus.