Day 259 | Thursday, 3 December 2020

Day 259 - Audio Version

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Day 259 | Thursday, 3 December 2020

 Good morning.  I hope all of you are remaining well and are finding ways to cope with the continuing rise in the COVID-19 cases.  Yesterday I was hearing reports from some states that there were no more ICU beds available in their state.  I also heard that some were saying that some hospitals had absolutely no beds available.  Advent is a season of HOPE.  There are many in our country who are finding it difficult to hope due to being ill with the corona virus.  Hope is in the good news of vaccines which could begin to be distributed later this month.  Yes, it is too late for some who have died because of the Virus.  Today, I have gone back to day 5 and repeating what I shared then.

I am using another familiar Psalm - 121 from the CEB.

 "I Raise my eyes toward the mountains,
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  Where will my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

  the maker of heaven and earth.

God won't let your foot slip.

  Your protector won't fall asleep on the job.

No! Israel's protector

  never sleeps or rests!

The Lord is your protector;

  the Lord is your shade right beside you.

The sun won't strike you during the day;

  neither will the moon at night.

The Lord will protect you from all evil;

  God will protect your very life.

The Lord will protect you

  on your journeys -

  whether going or coming -

  from now until forever from now."

 This is a song of trust in God's protection.  The psalmist believed that wherever he goes, God will provide protection.  We need to maintain the faith of the Psalmist that God will continue to provide protection through these uncertain times.  God's protection may come in many forms and ways.  Of course, we are to use all the gifts God has given us to protect ourselves and our loved ones as well.  I believe that God expects us to use our wisdom to be alongside God's love, guidance and protection.  This is a great Psalm of assurance that God is watching over us, always.

 Protecting God, we sometimes forget that you are watching over us in our journeys, our comings and goings.  Help us discover, today, the different and varied ways you are protecting us.  Lord, we give you thanks and praise for your protection.  Today, we ask you to watch over community, our friends, our families and loved ones.  May we all feel the warmth of your love.  Amen

 Today's prayers:  Protection for those who are suffering.