Begin by praying
Lord, open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your Word. Open my ears that I may hear Your voice. Open my heart that I may receive what You desire to give me today. AMEN.
Today's Lectio Divina reading comes from the Daily Office Second Morning Reading.
LECTIO Read
Read today's Scripture passage slowly.
Psalms 114-115
114:1 When Israel departed from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue,
114:2 Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel His dominion.
114:3 The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back;
114:4 the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.
114:5 Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back,
114:6 O mountains, that you skipped like rams, O hills, like lambs?
114:7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,
114:8 who turned the rock into a pool, the flint into a fountain of water!
115:1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your loving devotion, because of Your faithfulness.
115:2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
115:3 Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.
115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.
115:5 They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;
115:6 they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell;
115:7 they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats.
115:8 Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them.
115:9 O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.
115:10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.
115:11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.
115:12 The LORD is mindful of us; He will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron;
115:13 He will bless those who fear the LORD—small and great alike.
115:14 May the LORD give you increase, both you and your children.
115:15 May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
115:16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind.
115:17 It is not the dead who praise the LORD, nor any who descend into silence.
115:18 But it is we who will bless the LORD, both now and forevermore. Hallelujah!
Read the passage a second time
As you read, notice:
- A word that stands out
- A phrase that captures your attention
- An image that lingers in your mind
Do not rush.
Simply receive.
Psalms 114-115
114:1 When Israel departed from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue,
114:2 Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel His dominion.
114:3 The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back;
114:4 the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.
114:5 Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back,
114:6 O mountains, that you skipped like rams, O hills, like lambs?
114:7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,
114:8 who turned the rock into a pool, the flint into a fountain of water!
115:1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your loving devotion, because of Your faithfulness.
115:2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
115:3 Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.
115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.
115:5 They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;
115:6 they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell;
115:7 they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats.
115:8 Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them.
115:9 O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.
115:10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.
115:11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.
115:12 The LORD is mindful of us; He will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron;
115:13 He will bless those who fear the LORD—small and great alike.
115:14 May the LORD give you increase, both you and your children.
115:15 May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
115:16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind.
115:17 It is not the dead who praise the LORD, nor any who descend into silence.
115:18 But it is we who will bless the LORD, both now and forevermore. Hallelujah!
MEDITATIO Ponder
Read the passage a third time.
Consider:
- Why does this word or phrase stand out to me?
- What might God be inviting me to notice?
- How does this connect with my life today?
Allow the Scripture to move from your mind into your heart.
Psalms 114-115
114:1 When Israel departed from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue,
114:2 Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel His dominion.
114:3 The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back;
114:4 the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.
114:5 Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back,
114:6 O mountains, that you skipped like rams, O hills, like lambs?
114:7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,
114:8 who turned the rock into a pool, the flint into a fountain of water!
115:1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your loving devotion, because of Your faithfulness.
115:2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
115:3 Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.
115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.
115:5 They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;
115:6 they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell;
115:7 they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats.
115:8 Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them.
115:9 O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.
115:10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.
115:11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.
115:12 The LORD is mindful of us; He will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron;
115:13 He will bless those who fear the LORD—small and great alike.
115:14 May the LORD give you increase, both you and your children.
115:15 May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
115:16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind.
115:17 It is not the dead who praise the LORD, nor any who descend into silence.
115:18 But it is we who will bless the LORD, both now and forevermore. Hallelujah!
ORATIO Respond
Respond to God in prayer.
Speak honestly.
You may wish to thank Him, ask Him a question, confess a struggle, or simply express your desire to follow Him.
CONTEMPLATIO Rest
Spend one minute in silence.
Rest in God's presence.
Do not strive.
Do not analyze.
Simply remain with God.
Allow the truth of Scripture to settle deeply within you.
Continue Your Rhythm in Sacred Rhythms
Take what you have received during today's Lectio Divina into Sacred Rhythms.
There you may wish to record:
- A word or phrase that stood out
- An insight or observation
- A prayer
- A question
- A next step of obedience
There is no right or wrong response.
Simply record what you are noticing and how you sense God inviting you to respond.
Continue in Sacred Rhythms