Contemplative Bible Reading

Psalm 67:2-4 (New Living Translation)

2 May your ways be known throughout the earth,
your saving power among people everywhere.
3 May the nations praise you, O God.
Yes, may all the nations praise you.
4 Let the whole world sing for joy,
because you govern the nations with justice
and guide the people of the whole world.

This is a prayer that is to be sung. There are many such prayer songs in the collection of Psalms.

The last stanza of this song encourages the whole world to sing for joy. Why? Because God guides the people of the whole world. Note, the whole world, not just my neighborhood. And not just me.

That last phrase is the most difficult for me to accept. Sure, God guides me. That is why I do so good (well, sometimes, you know?). If everyone else would just understand how I am guided by God and accept my best intentions and understand and cut me some slack. Right?

Wrong. God guides the people of the whole world. All of ’em; not just me. You mean when someone cuts in front of me in traffic… well, maybe not that, but God is guiding that inconsiderate driver. I don’t know all of what is happening there with that person, but God is guiding that person. I have to accept that and trust the guidance of God.

Of course people rebel against God’s guidance. I have to accept that I rebel against God’s guidance sometimes. Maybe not as much as other folks and not as badly as other folks, but that is just me quibbling and making excuses. Still, God guides me and God guides that other fella’.

Thank you God for your guidance. Please help me to follow.