My wife and I pause and give thanks when we sit down to eat together, but I rarely do so when I pour a bowl of cereal or grab a sandwich between meetings. I take for granted the abundance of fresh food available in my world.

Long ago a writer penned a psalm lauding God for his magnificent acts. He praised the Lord for creating the heavens, the seas that cover the earth, the sun, moon and stars. The psalmist made much of dividing the Red Sea and delivering from Pharaoh. He applauded God for placing Israel in the promised land.

Then, at the end of the passage the writer included this final thought: He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven.

From the magnificent to the minute, the Lord is behind it all. Along with creating the universe and delivering his chosen, the Lord also ensures his creatures have food to eat. God is in the details, right down to the salt and pepper.

Lord, help me remember your goodness when I sit down to enjoy the food on my plate.

Psalm 136 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Debby Hudson