Tag: Scottish devotions

Sabbath Psalms – Like a Tree

Bible Studies, church devotions, Devotions, Lectionary devotions, Psalm devotions, Sunday devotions

Psalm 001sPsalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Many years ago, I took a group of church people on a coach tour of Scotland. It was a wonderful experience, and I personally delighted in showing everyone the wonders and beauty of the auld country.

In the middle of the tour, we visited a small town, right in the heart of Scotland, called Dunkeld. The scenery was breathtaking and all the tourists with me loved the buildings, bridges, and beautiful gardens in and around the town. We stayed there for two days, but just before we left Dunkeld, I took the group to a secret spot behind the Birnham hotel, where we were staying.

We walked for about 500 yards and came to the riverside. There, next to the water banks, stood four ancient oak trees, about 900 years old. They were massive and the girth of one of the trunks took half of our party to circle. It was amazing to experience one of Scotland’s hidden treasures.

For nine hundred years, those trees had been planted by the water. They were mentioned in Shakespeare’s Scottish play “MacBeth” in the lines “when Birnham wood comes to Dunisane hill.” They had survived the most turbulent years of Scottish history, and they still thrive, bearing acorns every year.

Today’s Bible verse tells us about the prosperity and strength of those who rely upon the Lord. It’s a lesson for each of us to experience, for no matter what we go through – pain, sorrow, or trouble – if we remain true to the Lord, He will enable us to endure, overcome, and prosper. God grants us this hope for being faithful to His Son. We are truly blessed, not because of what we do or accomplish, but because of all that God has done for us through Jesus.

Point to ponder: How has remaining faithful Jesus helped me through difficult times in my life?

Prayer: Lord God, Your strength carries us through life and Your will sustains us each day. Enable us to keep focused on Your ways, so that we may spiritually thrive and faithfully prosper in Your Kingdom on Earth. Refresh our souls with the Living Water of Jesus Christ and strengthen our spirits with the riches of His grace. In Jesus’ Name, we gladly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a retired Scottish pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sabbath Psalms – Sins of Omission

church devotions, Devotions, Lectionary devotions, Sunday devotions

Psalm 019sPsalm 19:12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

I once was given the opportunity to teach two English literature classes in my daughter’s High school class. It all came about when her teacher referred to Britain as ‘England.’ My daughter took offense at this and reminded her teacher that Britain is made up of several nations, which includes Scotland. Thankfully, her teacher accepted what she had to say and, in the ensuing conversation, I somehow got volunteered to teach two classes about Scotland’s contribution to English literature, especially the works of Robert Burns, the world’s greatest poet.

This highlighted verse from the psalmist reminded me of something that Burns once wrote. The psalmist talks about hidden faults, and how each of us are blind to some of the persistent mistakes that we make. In the past, ministers would call these the ‘sins of omission,’ the things that we neglect to do, as well as the mistakes that we unconsciously commit. In one of his poems, Burns put it this way:

‘O the pow’r that God wad gie us, to see ourselves as ithers see us.’

(O the power that God would give us, to see ourselves as others see us)

Sometimes, we are blind to the sins we commit and the mistakes that we habitually make. If only we had the power to see ourselves making those mistakes, which others around us notice, for then we would be empowered to avoid repeatedly making them.

Perhaps today we could all make a conscious effort to watch what we do or say; to be careful about the witness to Christ that we project, to be aware that we are not perfect all of the time. And at the end of the day, as we make our confessions and give thanks to God in prayer, let’s also remember to ask forgiveness for our hidden faults, those sins of omission that we constantly fail to recognize.

Point to ponder: What sins do I constantly repeat? How can I change this?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes we unknowingly hurt other people and offend You with our frequent mistakes. Sometimes the things we say and do, or the things we neglect to say or do, cause us to disappoint others and sin against You. Help us to recognize our recurring mistakes and give us the ways and means to avoid our sins of omission. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a retired Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.