photo #9452363

October 23 Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 1-2; 1 Timothy 3 Carried Through It is good to praise the Lord . . . proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. Psalm 92:1-2 [READ Psalm 92:1-5, 12-15 Lillie Cunningham is 110 years old, yet she isn’t reliant on a cane or walker. She does rely on Scripture, however, which she reads every morning and night—and attends church every Sunday. When she considers her life, she states, “I just always had faith and trust in God that he was going to carry us through.” Mrs. Cunningham trusts in and praises God for carrying her through hardships, including wars, pandemics, and the death of her husband and siblings. Her life resembles that of the psalmist who proclaimed God’s “love in the morning and [His] faithfulness at night” (Psalm 92:1-2); and her perseverance points to the psalmist’s words: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree . . . ; planted in the house of the Lord . . . . They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green” (vv. 12-14). And like the psalmist, she attributes it all to God (v. 15). We can learn much from this centenarian’s example. Like Lillie, may we live our lives in communion with and praise for God by spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and worshiping “in the courts of our God” (v. 13). We aren’t promised a long life on earth, but through Him, we can stay “fresh and green” (v. 14) as God prepares us for eternal life with Him. By Alyson Kieda REFLECT & PRAY What does it look like to flourish through walking with God? How has God carried you through hardships? Dear God, thank You for bringing me through both the joys and trials of my life. Please help me to walk with You in my everyday activities. Amen.