Pasture

Psalm 100:1-3 (NIV)

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his ;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

This morning, a quick glance at the news gave me an update on two U.S. wars, increasing gas prices, a bomb in Times Square and various local stories of murder and chaos.

What a way to kick off the day.

It's so easy for us to dwell on what's wrong in our world, community or own lives. And, of course, if that's what we want to dwell on, there will be plenty of material to work with.

What's the alternative? Do we simply place our heads in the clouds and somehow overcome through ignorance and positive thinking?

Not at all.

The Psalmist who wrote Psalm 100 certainly was aware of what's wrong in the world.

The people of Israel had experienced challenge upon challenge. They had lived through oppression and genocide (and would again).

What Psalm 100 says is something different...and it invites us to dare to believe it, too.

In every circumstance, God cares for his flock. That care is a basic part of what God gives. The "Shepherd" of these hills doesn't run when times are hard or uncertain. God will always tend our hearts, and our physical needs as well.

For every terrible story in the news, there are countless stories of giving, love and reconciliation that go unreported.

Let's trust the word of Psalm 1oo and become one of those stories ourselves, today. We can report the good news to one another.

Prayer: Father, today we pray for the peace of sheep in your pasture. In the midst of it all, give us your peace, safety and care.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.