Breaking the Silence by Ronnie Queenan

Today’s Reading
Psalms 65, 98, 138

Pastor Lisa’s Journal
Scripture
You silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples.
– Psalm 65:7

Observation
When I first read Psalm 65, I was reminded of Thanksgiving. Verses 9-13 praise the bounty of God, the Lord of the Harvest who provides water, flocks, and grain. When I reread the psalm, I was drawn to verse 7, especially the phrase “You silence… the tumult of the peoples.” Provision of food and water is one of many ways God silences our tumult (turmoil, chaos, mayhem).

God is worthy to be praised because God also answers prayer (vs. 2) so we are not left alone in the noise of our questions and concerns. God forgives our sins (vs. 3) so we are not abandoned to the mayhem of broken relationships with God and others. God provides us a home in God’s family (vs. 4) so we are not overwhelmed by the turmoil of isolation, so we may hear and learn the word of God, so we may worship and grow and serve with the companionship and support of others. God provides deliverance, so we are despairing and hopeless in the chaos of trying to save ourselves.

Application
God is worthy to be praised because God delivers us from crushing waves of questions, isolation, and sin, replacing them with the still small voice of truth and hope and salvation. (vs. 5)

Prayer litany based on Psalm 65
Praise is due to you, O God,
We commit ourselves to you alone
For you answer prayer and welcome all who seek you
Silence all competing and false voices
Speak Lord, your servant is listening

When sin and pain overwhelm us, you forgive and heal
Silence the chaos and destruction
Speak Lord, your servant is listening

Bring us near. Raise a song in our hearts.
Satisfy us with the goodness of your house
Silence all apathy and skepticism
Speak Lord, your servant is listening

By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance,
O God of our salvation;
You are the hope of all the ends of the earth
Silence prejudice, suspicion and hate
Silence the guns of war and the rhetoric of terror
Speak Lord, your servant is listening

You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it
You provide the people with grain, God of Abundance
Raise up a shout and a song of joy across the whole world
Silence the cries of hunger and need
Silence the cries of injustice and despair
O Lord, open our lips, and our mouths will declare your praise.

For a worship resource entitled Seeking Christ, the Word of God, click here.

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You are invited to join me on a summer adventure through one of the most beloved books in the Bible, Psalms.  To download the Summer in the Psalms reading plan, click here Psalms Reading Plan

As you read, you are encouraged to use the SOAP Method for keeping a spiritual journal, as taught at New Hope Christian Fellowship in Hawaii. For more information on this simple and powerful way of engaging the Word of God, please click here or use the simple instructions provided in the reading plan itself.

I look forward to reading your comments and to all that Jesus will do in you and through you as you seek him this summer. – Lisa <><

PS- For more information on the scripture translation, art and the use of this devotional in other settings, please refer to the copyright information page.