"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, 4 October 2016 with Scripture Psalm 111

"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, 4 October 2016 with Scripture Psalm 111
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Psalm 111:1 Halleluyah!
I will wholeheartedly give thanks to Adonai
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
2 The deeds of Adonai are great,
greatly desired by all who enjoy them.
3 His work is full of majesty and splendor,
and his righteousness continues forever.
4 He has gained renown for his wonders.
Adonai is merciful and compassionate.
5 He gives food to those who fear him.
He remembers his covenant forever.
6 He shows his people how powerfully he works
by giving them the nations as their heritage.
7 The works of his hands are truth and justice;
all his precepts can be trusted.
8 They have been established forever and ever,
to be carried out truly and honestly.
9 He sent redemption to his people
and decreed that his covenant should last forever.
His name is holy and fearsome —
10 the first and foremost point of wisdom is the fear of Adonai;
all those living by it gain good common sense.
His praise stands forever.[Complete Jewish Bible]
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God is a God of integrity. As our psalm points out, we know who God is by remembering what God has done. God follows through and makes good on God's word. We trust God because we know God to be trustworthy. God has been trustworthy in the past; we know because we remember what God has done. We can trust a promising God because we can see God keeping promises.
Just as we know God by watching, studying, and remembering God's actions--we must remember that we identify whose we are to others by our actions as well. Our deeds matter. What will they reflect? Do our deeds reflect a loving God, worthy of trust? As the old song says--do they know we are Christians by our love?
Great God, we remember all you have done for us. We know you have been good and trustworthy, full of integrity, and you make good on your promises. May we reflect your integrity and your love this day. Amen.
Erika Benson Buller, '14
Associate Pastor, Bethel Lutheran Church, Wahpeton, N.D. 
Psalm 111:1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever. [New Revised Standard Version] 
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