Native American Heritage Month – Part I
Scripture — Psalm 136:1, 16 (First Nations Version)
“Give thanks to Grandfather, for he is good. His faithful and true love lasts beyond the end of all days. . . . Give thanks to the one who guided his people through the desert wilderness. His faithful and true love lasts beyond the end of all days.”
Focus
Psalm 136 is a psalm of thanksgiving found in Book 5 of the Psalter, and it is written by refugees and exiles from their experience of exile. To remember God’s goodness is at the center of Hebrew worship. To remember God’s good deeds of deliverance or provision, faithfulness, and steadfast love is one of the themes in the psalms.
Devotion
This month is Native American Heritage Month. As a faith leader, I am an ongoing student of the contributions of indigenous voices as we worship and work in Tongva land in Pasadena, California. This fall, my church has engaged in a sermon series through the Psalms. We have used a newly minted indigenous translation of the Psalms and Proverbs. It has been an expansive and delightful way to walk through familiar passages with words and worldview that expand our imagination and spirituality.
Psalm 136 is a psalm of thanksgiving found in Book 5 of the Psalter, and it is written by refugees and exiles from their experience of exile. To remember God’s goodness is at the center of Hebrew worship. To remember God’s good deeds of deliverance or provision, faithfulness, and steadfast love is one of the themes in the psalms.
I was struck by the words in this translation describing YHWH and God’s faithfulness and true love that lasts beyond the end of all days. The exilic community has not been spared from suffering or difficulty at the hands of the Babylonian empire. The hesed love of God is the accompanying presence throughout the traumatic journey of being deported into Babylon. As this community remembers and looks back, the way to lean in is through the soil of God’s love. The psalmist lists the many ways that love leaned in to rescue and deliver. Today, I would like for us to sit in the light of this love before we move into gratitude tomorrow.
Reflect
Where might there be an opportunity for love to grow in your life or the life of the community?
Act
Who might need a written note that reflects your love for another person? Who might need a reminder of God’s love for them or an affirmation for the way they’re loving and serving others? Sometimes the ones who love the most need the most reminders of love.
Pray
God who is a Grandfather, the Ancient of Days; your love has been here from eternity past and will be with us into eternity future. May the light of your love also be felt in our bodies and lives today as we journey through this wilderness. May the lies that make us question your love fall upon the earth like dust. May your love be a melody, a harmony, the fragile dew resting on a morning blade of grass. Amén.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: The Right Use of Power (Psalm 136).
Inés Velásquez-McBryde
Chaplain at Fuller Theological Seminary & Pastor, Preacher, Speaker
Inés Velásquez-McBryde is a pastor, preacher, reconciler and mujerista theologian. She is the lead pastor and co-founder of The Church We Hope For. She is originally from Nicaragua, a third generation pastor, and the first pastora in her family. Inés earned her MDiv at Fuller Theolo...