MONDAY

SCRIPTURE - Psalm 81:1-16

It is amazing how much energy, and sometimes ingenuity, goes into getting young children to make the transition to eating solid food! Parents or caregivers wave spoons with food in the air, speak in unusual tones of voice while modeling the desired “open-mouth” behavior, and say things like, “Open wide,” “Here comes the airplane,” along with a whole collection of other phrases they would never utter under any other conditions. Parents and caregivers can be quite resourceful. Children can be quite challenging. Difficult. Exasperating. Messy. But they are also deeply loved and valued in spite of it all. They could make the process so much easier if they were so inclined, but this seems to be the nature of things. And in their own way the children of Israel were not much different in their interactions with God. As you read and reflect on today’s passage of Scripture, notice how the psalmist portrays God very much like a parent who deeply desires that their children would stop making it so difficult to be cared for, but who remains lovingly committed to them nonetheless. As you reflect on this psalm, consider the following:

• Notice the emotional tone of how the psalm begins. How does this shape the way that you hear what is shared in the verses that follow? How does reading the psalm in the context of joy change the way you hear it?

• What verses or phrases provide language you resonate with as you think about your attempts to guide your children or others in your care? • In what ways might you imagine God saying to you what is expressed in verse 10? Explain.

• When the disciples asked Jesus how they should pray, one of the phrases he taught them was, “Give us today, our daily bread.” How does this psalm give you more insight into what Jesus may have been getting at?

Take a few moments to read through the psalm again, and then share with God what is on your heart in response to what you are hearing there, and whatever else may be on your heart.