"I waited patiently for the Lord to help me and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the Lord."(Psalm 40:1-3)...

"But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The Lord is great!" As for me, I am poor and needy, BUT THE LORD IS THINKING ABOUT ME RIGHT NOW. You are my helper and my savior. Do not delay, O my God." (Psalm 40: 16 & 17)

Oh Father, it's so hard to imagine that you are thinking about us right now. And yet you say that you are. I pray that we would be humbled, inspired, and blessed by your words and by your thoughts. So many people across this city are sinking into despair. There are many who struggle simply to get out of bed. There are many who need steadying because they are weak in sickness, pain, or depression. There are many who know how close they are to the end of their time here on this earth. Then there are many others of us who have no idea how close we are. There are many of us who take our health and our time for granted. Give us pause this week Lord, to consider your greatness and your mercy. Give us pause this week, Lord, to consider that you are thinking about us. Let us - the body of your Church in Miami - consider that you have gifted us with each moment and let us live each of them out with a new song and a hymn of praise in our hearts. Give us each the strength to be an encouragement to the people around us. Let our focus be on you and not our infirmities and weaknesses so that many will be astounded by what you have done in our lives. Amen.