17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
R. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
Written by Margaret Cressionnie
This psalm is a needed reminder today! Not only does the Lord provide, but He intimately knows our needs and draws close to us in that place of longing to care for us.
“The eyes of all look hopefully to you,
And you give them their food in due season;
You open your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.”
Oftentimes, we fall into the trap of anxiety, worry, and self-reliance that pulls us from loving trust and dependence on God. In daily life, we commonly look forward to the future and operate from a posture of striving and grasping for more. We seek more security, more certainty, and more stability, and we can pride ourselves on our efforts and what we accomplish and provide for ourselves. Yet today’s psalm reminds us of the source of all fulfillment, every answered prayer, and every blessing. He provides for us in due season, but not always according to our timing or when we think it is the right season. This reality is often difficult to grasp or come to terms with, but He is trustworthy in His infinite wisdom and knowledge as He is always working for our good. He never abandons or leaves us in our deepest need. He alone is the fulfillment of all desire, and He always longs for our hearts to lean into deeper trust and dependence on Him so that we draw closer in relationship with Him. His promise is always true, and He always delivers one hundredfold when we lovingly trust our Father with our desires and needs.
Today I invite you to spend intentional time in the gaze of Jesus to look hopefully to Him as the source of life, joy, peace, and the fulfillment of our needs and desires. How can you remain in His gaze and deepen your trust in His providence?
Margaret Cressionnie is a mental health counselor in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. She loves golden retrievers, vanilla lattes, sunflowers, and talking about Jesus and mental health. Follow her on Instagram and say hey!
Pray with today’s psalm.