O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
Let Israel say,
"His steadfast love endures forever."
Let the house of Aaron say,
"His steadfast love endures forever."
Let those who fear the Lord say,
"His steadfast love endures forever."
Out of my distress I called on the Lord,
the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.

~Psalm 118:1-5

Responding to God’s Loyalty

God’s steadfast love is foundational in scripture. Throughout the Psalms, God’s unconditional love hems us in and hold us close.

In Psalm 118, there is a repeated emphasis on God’s loyalty. How have you seen or shown loyalty in your life? How have you experienced God as loving and loyal?

In the church, we often show our loyalty by supporting each other in the big moments, the ups and the downs — baptism, confirmation, marriage, illness, grief, death. While staff may facilitate crucial roles in these moments, the whole church participates in this congregational care.

This month, we are paying attention to those who have discerned church vocation as a career: our own staff love offering, yesterday’s 70th anniversary of the ordination of women, Izzy’s graduation from seminary, and a special emphasis from the United Methodist Church on seminaries outside of the U.S.

Across the United Methodist Church, churches outside the United States are growing quickly, yet access to theological education is not equal globally. In the United States, established seminaries and continuing education support our clergy and church staff. In many parts of Africa, Europe, and the Philippines, pastors faithfully serve growing, vibrant congregations with limited access to theological education.

The entire United Methodist denomination is in a season of prayer and giving for these theological educational needs outside of the U.S. The more that theological training is accessible to United Methodists around the world, the more equipped and aligned we can be in sharing God’s love.

In Psalm 118:5, God’s loyalty is described as “spacious” or “broad.” We believe that God’s love and loyalty is larger than we can imagine. Join me in prayer and giving in supporting God’s loyalty and love shown through people here and all around the world.