Psalm 136
1O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
2O give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
3O give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
4who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
5who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
6who spread out the earth on the waters,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
7who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
8the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
9the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
10who struck Egypt through their firstborn,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
11and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
12with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
13who divided the Red Sea* in two,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
14and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
15but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,*
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
16who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
17who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
18and killed famous kings,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
19Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
20and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
21and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
22a heritage to his servant Israel,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
23It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
24and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
25who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
26O give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
Midday prayer bump!
Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it?
"I the LORD search the mind and try the heart, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings."
Jeremiah 17: 5-10
Lord, help us to trust you.
Open our eyes to the deceits of the enemy.
Guide our hands tomorrow as we vote.
Help us to be honest and separate what we want to call right from what you show us is right.
Watch over our nation, and may we be open to walk in your light.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.