PRAISE the LORD

"Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever." Psalm 111

I wasn’t afraid of water. It had always seemed tame to me — something I put into little bottles for drinking, something I listened to when it came down in big rain droplets outside. But on that June day while we sat stranded on the only highway that would lead us home, I gained a new perspective on water.

As we watched it rush over the highway ahead of us, tearing up chunks of asphalt and making the road impassable, I stood in awe. Once we got our car turned around and headed away from the flood, I watched the mini-waves lap the side of the road and our tires. I discovered a new respect for water.

Until I experienced a flash flood, my relationship with water was an illusion. I thought I had it under control. After the flood, I realized that water is a powerful force — one that has been around much longer than me! I don’t shy away from water, but I approach it with a new reverence. I respect its authority in a new way, and I am wiser for it. I wonder what experience the psalmist had with God to elicit this same realization? Micaela Wood