Creation’s majesty and daily faithfulness
Heavenly Father, you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death, and brought us into the kingdom of your beloved Son: Grant that, as by his death he has called us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
(Collect for Easter Saturday, Book of Common Prayer)
Psalm 19 NRSV
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
RETURN TO GOD WHAT IS HIS
Douglas Kaine McKelvey
I am a beggar, O Lord, and always was. And this is the sermon the decrease of my days preaches, even now, to my own thirsting heart.
Any good that I have done in this life, any good service I have rendered, any faithfulness in love or friendship, any mercy extended to strangers, any forgiveness of enemies, any witness to truth, any offering of hope, any seeds of eternity planted by my words or choices or creative acts, any work that has advanced your kingdom or borne some fruit of redemption, has been accomplished, not by my own strength or righteousness, but by the workings of your Spirit in and through me, O God.
For these were the works you prepared in advance for me to do, and then – in your great faithfulness – you prepared me to do them, and all were accomplished according to your good pleasure. I have been but a steward of these days, of these talents, or these resources and relationships. I lay at your feet any fruit of my faithfulness. May these small offerings resound to your praise. If it please you, may they echo here even after I am gone, your works remembered when I am forgotten. The glory is yours. I offer it willingly back to you. Receive now, my Master, any good I have done. Receive it as the expected obedience of a faithful servant, and in your mercy forgive me my many, daily acts of unfaithfulness and poor stewardship.[1]
The Heavens are Telling
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
[1] Every Moment Holy, Volume II, pp. 48-50.
