The goodness of God

Psalm 145         The goodness of God

          There is such madness during the Christmas season that culminates in one spectacular day that often there is a let down of seemingly epic proportions that coincides with an enormous sigh of relief.

           I will say, I did an admirable job of keeping the insanity at bay myself and enjoyed the daily readings and meditations.  I hope you did as well. I also hope you put aside some extra time just for you and God.

         If there is a post holiday let down brought on by a wee bit too much materialsim or a bout or two of gluttony, know that God has not abandoned you. Not so quickly, not ever actually. The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. So God's offer, God's gift of love does not end on Christmas morning even if you haven't opened the gifts he has offered. And if you slipped and fell, God is still faithful to you in love and mercy and his offers of love and relationship still graciously stand as they always have. 

             ...and gracious in all his deeds. The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. God would like nothing more than to hold you up with his loving arms around you, lift you up with arms that never grow weak.

          God's gracious love does not end on Christmas morning. There does not have to be a retreat to the way things were or are. 

          Still, open the gift. God's boundless love awaits.

Praise. Of David.
I will extol you, my God and King,
   and bless your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will bless you,
   and praise your name for ever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
   his greatness is unsearchable. 

One generation shall laud your works to another,
   and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendour of your majesty,
   and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,
   and I will declare your greatness.
They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,
   and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. 

The Lord is gracious and merciful,
   slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
   and his compassion is over all that he has made. 

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
   and all your faithful shall bless you.
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
   and tell of your power,
to make known to all people your mighty deeds,
   and the glorious splendour of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
   and your dominion endures throughout all generations. 

The Lord is faithful in all his words,
   and gracious in all his deeds.
The Lord upholds all who are falling,
   and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
   and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand,
   satisfying the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is just in all his ways,
   and kind in all his doings.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
   to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfils the desire of all who fear him;
   he also hears their cry, and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
   but all the wicked he will destroy. 

My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
   and all flesh will bless his holy name for ever and ever.