To help two people come together and resolve their differences, as Paul the apostle does for Onesimus and his master, can be a huge challenge, but it is something that I am striving to improve in my ability to do.

If each of us took steps to ensure the relational health of those around us was upheld, I wonder if the world would he a better place.

Relational health isn’t really something that gets talked about much. Sure, people who are psychologically and emotionally healthy will generally be better in relationships, but if I just look after myself, it will certainly not guarantee that I will automatically relate well to others. It is a skill I need to learn, and one where the support of others can help me do well.

Thank you Lord that you have made us to be relational and to live in relationship with you and with people. Help us to care for one another so that relational health can be developed across our community to make the world a better place.

Written by Ps. Justin Ware 

What a great Psalm! The king prays for himself to lead in justice and righteousness, for his land to be plentiful and peaceful and for his people to be prosperous. The poor, the weak & the needy are particularly on his heart. Who would not want to serve this king? Jesus is so clearly reflected in this psalm (a messianic psalm), His sovereignty, His righteousness, justice, deliverance, redemption, love and freedom.

Who would not want to worship Him?

Lord Jesus, today I again affirm my heart for you. You are all these things and so much more & I choose to serve you, for you alone are a “Wonder-working God” (Message).

Written by Suzie Hodgson

As I pause and take notice of the psalmist’s style of writing, I cannot help but see a lack of polite trimmings. There is no please or thank you, no ‘God if it is not too inconvenient…’. The psalmist clearly has a history with God, a relationship built over time, such that there is no need for polite custom. The writer is in need, and he cries out honestly to God for help. There is no hiding of the request in conversation about the weather or general chit chat. The psalmist owns their need and states their dependence on God. There is no back-up plan, this is serious and God must come through for the writer.

Am I this bold in talking to God and requesting help? Do I quickly own my need or do I hesitate and try to cover over my insufficiency?

God, help me to recognise my limits and be quick to call for your aid. Where I get caught in polite trimmings or what I ‘should’ say, open my eyes and teach me to keep it simple. Thank you that you respond to me because I’m your child, and not because I pray the ‘right’ prayers. Amen.

Written by Bethany Waugh

This Psalm portrays the position of those in Gods favor, and those whom are enemies, and how the psalmist wants to see God destroy them. But as we read this today, what is there to digest personally?

For me it is the verses 32-34……

“Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, 

sing praise to the Lord, 

to him who rides the ancient skies above, 

who thunders with mighty voice. 

Proclaim the power of God, 

whose majesty is over Israel, 

whose power is in the skies.” 

This is a call to sing to our God and proclaim his power, and to revere his might. I think often we can tend to dilute God, or consider his power only as our feeble minds allow. But the greatest display of his power and might is in the creation of the skies above. I love how the great preacher Louie Giglio tries to give us some comprehension of the enormity of the universe, with stars that are trillion times larger than our planet, and exist thousands of light years away, and yet were created by the very word of God. (Ps33:6). He spoke, and they were birthed. Now that is power!  To proclaim this means to announce, or publicly declare his power. That is what I need to digest for today.

Lord, help me to marvel at your majestic creation of the skies above, to sing praise to You and to proclaim, and speak of Your great power to others.

Written by Steve Fell

This psalm is a persistent call to action – so many verbs!… Shout (for joy), Sing (of His name), Make (His praise glorious), Say (to God that He is awesome), Come and See (what God has done), Praise (our God), Come (to His temple), Come and Hear (what God has done), Cry (out to Him).

Strong, healthy relationships are built on mutual involvement. It’s easy to grow passive in our relationship with God from time to time, and end up taking Him for granted. This psalm is a good reminder of the need to be verbal in our praise of God and proactive in our seeking Him day by day – not just on Sunday in church.

Today as I write this, I am taking just a few minutes out of the busyness of life to listen to worship music, spend time focusing on God and worshiping Him. So needed and so good for the soul!

Father God, I thank You that You love to hear from Your people, that You incline Your hear to listen. Help me to remember You in my everyday life and not take for granted the awesome privilege it is to speak with You.

Written by Shelley Witt