The Lord Is Good to His People
1 Shout praises to the Lord!
He is good to us,
and his love never fails.
2 Everyone the Lord has rescued
from trouble
should praise him,
3 everyone he has brought
from the east and the west,
the north and the south.[a]
4 Some of you were lost
in the scorching desert,
far from a town.
5 You were hungry and thirsty
and about to give up.
6 You were in serious trouble,
but you prayed to the Lord,
and he rescued you.
7 At once he brought you
to a town.
8 You should praise the Lord
for his love
and for the wonderful things
he does for all of us.
9 To everyone who is thirsty,
he gives something to drink;
to everyone who is hungry,
he gives good things to eat.
Reflection
A Long-standing camp tradition has been the sharing of faith stories. Many nights around the campfire, staff would use the scripture lessons of the day to help teach how faith can be a part of our daily lives. Often staff members would also share their faith stories in these quiet moments lit only by the gentle amber flickering of the fire. These nights were memorable and powerful to myself and many-a-camper.
The most riveting stories were the ones where the story-teller had been through some extraordinary hardship– abuse, addiction, homelessness– and somehow they still found their way to Christ. Sometimes a trusted friend brought them to church or camp, and that’s how they started their journey in faith. Sometimes they cried out in desperation to something, anything, to help them and their prayers were answered.
Today’s scripture reminds me of these stories. I’ve lived a very fortunate life, and while I’ve made some poor choices, I’ve always had a support system that has provided for me. And the church has always been in my life in some capacity. But today’s scripture refers to the people who’ve met true adversity, struggled with severe hardship, and yet were saved by the grace of God.
These are the people that I most respect in the church. These are the people whose faith feels strongest and seems to ebb from their very being. I am fascinated and awed by these people because they seem to have special knowledge of what it’s like to be held in the firm grasp of Christ’s love and lifted by grace.
by Ashley Bowler
For Pondering and Prayer
Have you ever been struck by someone’s faith story? How has it impacted you and your faith journey to know someone who has been lifted by grace?
Have you been the one struggling? What was the first miracle (a small one still counts) that started you on your faith journey?
Is there someone in your life who is lost in the desert? How can you be that small miracle provided by God to bring them home?
Prayer: Gracious God, thank You for Your unending love and for always hearing our cries, even when we are lost in the desert. We praise You for the ways You rescue, restore, and refresh our weary souls. Thank You for the stories of faith that remind us of Your power and presence in every struggle. Help us to never forget Your goodness and to be vessels of Your grace to those still wandering. Amen.
