Passwords of Praise

I was reading through Psalm 89 in the Message, and I was delighted to read how Eugene Peterson described the worship of God. He says:

"Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise,
    who shout on parade in the bright presence of God.
Delighted, they dance all day long; they know
    who you are, what you do—they can’t keep it quiet!
Your vibrant beauty has gotten inside us—
    you’ve been so good to us! We’re walking on air!
All we are and have we owe to God,
    Holy God of Israel, our King!" - Psalm 89: 15-18

I was struck by the expression: 'blessed are those who know the passwords of praise.' I have so many passwords for bank accounts, email accounts, online shopping, phones etc, but do I know the passwords of praise? And what would these passwords open up for my life?

Living in Grace

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Moon and Sun

This morning on my run I had the awesome experience of gazing upon the setting full moon. It was still bright enough to make me stop and appreciate it's presence. However, this was only half of the gift. I was also aware of the early morning sun rising over the mountains behind me. It was almost as if I was caught in the beauty of God's creation. Full moon ahead of me and rising sun behind. It was a special moment. 

It is interesting that the scriptures speak of the sun and moon in many places. The skies speak to us of God's glory. 

Psalm 148:3 - Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you twinkling stars!

Jeremiah 31:35 - It is the Lord who provides the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night, and who stirs the sea into roaring waves. His name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies...

Living in Grace

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What's on the sandwich?

What do you like to put on your sandwich snacks? Do you enjoy a piece of cheese, or some meat or are you happy with something plain like peanut butter? You are wondering why I am speaking about sandwich fillings, when I should be sharing about Psalm 57? Well, as I read through the Psalmist's list of woes, I note that in the middle of dealing with the 'pride of lions' (v.4) and the 'pit of distress' (v.6) he calls out for God to be exalted in the heavens:

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.

For me, it is almost like he wants us to know that God can still reign supreme, despite what is happening around us. So, perhaps his call for God to be exalted and glorified is a reminder to himself, as well as a call for God to take his rightful place. 

They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves. (v.6)

How do you see God acting when you face times of trial? 

Do we need to be reminded that God is exalted and that his glory will fill the earth?

Living in Grace

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Talk of the town

"Everyone sees it. God’s work is the talk of the town.

Be glad, good people! Fly to God! Good-hearted people, make praise your habit." - Psalm 64:9-10 (The Message)

When you are the talk of the town, people will be speaking about your life everywhere you go. This can be in the case of good things, as well as negative circumstances. Nowadays, we would probably say that you have 'gone viral' or that your name is 'trending' on social media. Either way, it is when a lot of attention is placed on what is going on in your life. Your actions are the talk of the community.

Eugene Peterson's reflection on Psalm 64 teaches us that when God responds to the evil-doers there will be much excitement and people will be glad that justice is done. We are then encouraged to 'fly to God' knowing that he has heard our prayers and that he does respond to our cries for help.

"The righteous will rejoice in the Lord
and take refuge in him;
all the upright in heart will glory in him!" (v.10)

Living in Grace

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Let earth and heaven combine

I know we are not supposed to be jealous, especially in this season of giving and love. However, when I read the brilliant words of Charles Wesley, as he sums up the complex theology of the Incarnation with an economy of words, I am a little envious.

Just read this first verse again and note how he manages to explain how we all should worship our Immense God, who managed to surrender himself into the form of the Christ-child. It is incomprehensible. It is truly miraculous.

1. Let earth and heaven combine,
      Angels and men agree,
   To praise in songs Divine
      The' incarnate Deity,
Our God contracted to a span,
Incomprehensibly made man.

2. He laid His glory by,
      He wrapp'd Him in our clay,
   Unmark'd by human eye
      The latent Godhead lay;
Infant of days He here became,
And bore the mild Immanuel's name.

Charles Wesley wrote this hymn around 1745 and it is another ‘hit’ alongside his thousands (over 6000) of songs and hymns. Not bad for a guy who was born the 18^th child of Susanna and Samuel Wesley on the 18^th December 1707. He certainly didn’t let his family status prevent him from glorifying his Saviour. Charles was 80 years old when he died in 1788.

Let us not make excuses this year, as to why we can’t worship Jesus. May our voices join with those in heaven, and on earth, as we proclaim Jesus as our Immanuel.

Living in Grace

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Celebrating the King

As we celebrate Palm Sunday, let us read some words from Zephaniah who shares a remarkable prophecy of the coming of the Messiah. As you read his words cast your mind on the image of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey. Hosanna in the highest - praise the Lord of lords.

¹⁴ Sing, Daughter Zion;
    shout aloud, Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
    Daughter Jerusalem!
¹⁵ The Lord has taken away your punishment,
    he has turned back your enemy.
The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;
    never again will you fear any harm.
¹⁶ On that day
    they will say to Jerusalem,
“Do not fear, Zion;
    do not let your hands hang limp.
¹⁷ The Lord your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,    but will rejoice over you with singing.” - Zephaniah 3:14-17

For all of the reasons mentioned by Zephaniah, Jesus comes into our lives this week and invites us to kneel before his throne. What will our response be?

Living in Grace
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New song

^“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him." - Psalm 40:3

It is remarkable that with all the millions of songs already produced that artists find creative ways of expressing their thoughts and emotions in new songs. Itunes has over 40 million songs on its database - That is an incredible amount of songs don’t you think?

As we think about it, a new song doesn’t necessarily mean that the older songs are obsolete, but rather that, after going through a difficult experience, there is a fresh expression of God’s goodness and mercy. A deeper comprehension of Christ's faithfulness inspires new words to flow from our hearts.

Are you able to sing a new song at the moment?

Psalm 149:1 - "Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people."

Living in Grace

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The 4th Gift of the Magi

"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures (Treasure Chests) and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." - Matthew 2:11

Ask anyone what 3 gifts the Magi brought to Jesus and most of us would be able to tell you - Gold, Incense and Myrrh. However, if you had to ask the question: "What did they do before they gave Jesus the gifts?" - then we would take a little longer to reply. 

This is why I feel that somehow we have got stuck on the 3 gifts that the Magi presented to Jesus and have subtly missed the FOURTH gift.  In fact, the 4th Gift is the very first action of the Wise-men. They bowed down in front of Jesus and acknowledged him as a ruler and King. Their gift of worship inspired their generous gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. 

As we still come to terms with a new year, let us offer Jesus our gift of WORSHIP as a starting point. From then on, we can open our Treasure Chests and bring everything else to him.

Living in Grace
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All people that on earth do dwell - Psalm 100

 

"All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice:
Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell;
Come ye before him and rejoice."

These are words of the hymn written by William Kethe. He was a minister from Scotland, although he spent many years living in exile in Europe. During his time in Geneva, he helped translate the Bible into French, working mainly on the book of Psalms. This version of the hymn is actually based on his interpretation of Psalm 100.

I am sure that modern Psalm translator Eugene Peterson would have been influenced by the poets of old. These are Peterson's words to sum up Psalm 100.

^1-2 On your feet now—applaud God!
    Bring a gift of laughter,
    sing yourselves into his presence.

³ Know this: God is God, and God, God.
    He made us; we didn’t make him.
    We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.

⁴ Enter with the password: “Thank you!”
    Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
    Thank him. Worship him.

⁵ For God is sheer beauty,
    all-generous in love,
    loyal always and ever.

Living in Grace

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Psalms - Brilliant God

There are so many fantastic Psalms. It is impossible to choose only 1 for the sake of these daily blogs, so I will have to cheat and choose a few more. Today's Psalm speaks of the brilliance of God. I like the way that Eugene Peterson encourages us to Praise God with those words - God, Brilliant Lord. It reminds me that God is so incredible and amazing that our human words are just not enough to describe our Saviour.

God, brilliant Lord,
    yours is a household name.

² Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you;
    toddlers shout the songs
That drown out enemy talk,
    and silence atheist babble.

^3-4 I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
    your handmade sky-jewelry,
Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
    Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
Why do you bother with us?
    Why take a second look our way?

^5-8 Yet we’ve so narrowly missed being gods,
    bright with Eden’s dawn light.
You put us in charge of your handcrafted world,
    repeated to us your Genesis-charge,
Made us lords of sheep and cattle,
    even animals out in the wild,
Birds flying and fish swimming,
    whales singing in the ocean deeps.

⁹ God, brilliant Lord,    your name echoes around the world. - Psalm 8

Living in Grace

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In Honour of October

October is an interesting name to give the 10th month of the year, especially seeing that October comes from the word "Octo" meaning eight! The reason for this is quite simple really. In the old Roman calender it was the 8th month, but when the new Julian and Gregorian calendar was introduced it retained its name, even though it became the 10th month.

So, in honour of "October" I offer you the wonderful Psalm 8. These words are fitting to honour the Lord any month of the year.

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
    Your glory is higher than the heavens.
² You have taught children and infants
    to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
    and all who oppose you.

³ When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
    the moon and the stars you set in place—
⁴ what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    human beings that you should care for them?
⁵ Yet you made them only a little lower than God
    and crowned them with glory and honour.
⁶ You gave them charge of everything you made,
    putting all things under their authority—
⁷ the flocks and the herds
    and all the wild animals,
⁸ the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
    and everything that swims the ocean currents.

⁹ O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

Living in Grace

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Great is the Lord

The Psalmists loved to praise God. They also encouraged the people of God to look around at their 'world' and to find ways of glorifying God - and we should do the same. Whether it is looking at the stars in the night sky, the splendour of the mountains, the pounding of the ocean waves, or even the flight of a bird, we have plenty to praise God for...

"Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise.

His greatness no one can fathom." - Psalm 145:3


Prayer focus: Thank God for all the many things that we often take for granted.

Living in Grace
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