Focus

Let your soul take a moment of rest as you hear God’s word. Put your busy schedule, wandering mind, stressful thoughts, and burdened heart at the feet of the cross and open up to God’s voice as the Giver of Life tends your soul.

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Read

Psalm 22:19-28 (NRSV)

But you, O LORD, do not be far away!
O my help, come quickly to my aid!
Deliver my soul from the sword,
my life from the power of the dog!
Save me from the mouth of the lion!
From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued me.
I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;
stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
For he did not despise or abhor
the affliction of the afflicted;
he did not hide his face from me,
but heard when I cried to him.

From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will pay before those who fear him.
The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the LORD.
May your hearts live forever!

All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the LORD;
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before him.
For dominion belongs to the LORD,
and he rules over the nations.

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Reflect

From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will pay before those who fear him (Psalm 22:55).

“Amid the thronging worshipers the living Lord I bless;
before my people, gathered here, God’s name will I confess.
Come, sing with all who fear the Lord, you children of God’s grace;
With reverence sound all glory forth and bow before God’s face.”

The words of this hymn written by Fred R. Anderson reflect those of the psalmist. What a wonderful privilege we are afforded to join our voices with our Christian family each week in worship. For all that God has done for us, how can we keep silent? It is said that as John Wesley lay dying, he surprised those at his bedside by singing, “I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath, and when my voice is lost in death, praise shall employ my nobler powers.” The next day he tried to sing the hymn again, but could only say, “I’ll praise.” With those final words, he went home to glory.

Praise should be continuously on our lips and on our faces as well. Do not let the rocks take your place in crying out before the Lord. May your worship and praise always be a witness to those around you.

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Pray

Dear God, forgive us when we do not honor you as we should with the praise of our whole being. May all that we say and do be an offering of praise. Amen.

Go with God.