This past week I’ve been in San Pedro, Chile with my entire squad for a week of debrief. Debrief is a time where we all come together to process what’s happened the past month and to gain more knowledge and skills to use as we enter back into ministry. It’s been a great week seeing everyone and just having a chance to slow down and really spend time with God to see what work He wants to do in me this next month as we head to Peru.
On the second to last morning of debrief, some of my squamates and I decided to wake up early and walk to a nearby hill to watch the sunrise. From this hill you can see the town of San Pedro as well as the mountain range and two volcanoes. As the sun started peaking over the mountains, we read aloud two psalms. Psalm 19 really stood out to me during this time.
Psalm 19
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
