November 7 (All Saints) – Psalm 145:1-5
This day is special, Lord, in my own life as well as the church, for we remember and honor on this day generations past that have paved the way of faith for us, and enriched our lives. “One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts,” the psalmist says. How true!
How but through your Holy Spirit and their witness could we speak with the psalmist of meditating “the the glorious splendor of your majesty … and your wondrous works”? And how else would we be inspired to proclaim your awesome deeds and declare your greatness to those coming after us?
The song must go on, dear Lord, and let it be amplified in my life. Grant me the grace of proclaiming the good news day by day. Make me grateful for the privilege of receiving the blessed inheritance of all the saints in light. And help me to be useful to others in passing it on. Amen.
How but through your Holy Spirit and their witness could we speak with the psalmist of meditating “the the glorious splendor of your majesty … and your wondrous works”? And how else would we be inspired to proclaim your awesome deeds and declare your greatness to those coming after us?
The song must go on, dear Lord, and let it be amplified in my life. Grant me the grace of proclaiming the good news day by day. Make me grateful for the privilege of receiving the blessed inheritance of all the saints in light. And help me to be useful to others in passing it on. Amen.
November 14 (28th after Pentecost) – Psalm 98
Thank you, Lord, for the breadth of your love and grace, reaching as the psalmist says “to the ends of the earth.” It is not only to the house of Israel that you have made known your victory. Your vindication has also been revealed “in the sight of the nations.”
Should I not then, with all the redeemed, “sing a new song” to you, in praise and thanksgiving for the marvelous things you have done? What a joy and comfort it is to know that your right hand and your holy arm have gotten you the victory!
With the psalmist I also invoke the whole of nature, the roaring sea and all that fills it, the world and all who live in it, with floods clapping their hands and hills singing together for joy.
Thank you, Lord for thus coming among us, and promising to come again. Amen.
Should I not then, with all the redeemed, “sing a new song” to you, in praise and thanksgiving for the marvelous things you have done? What a joy and comfort it is to know that your right hand and your holy arm have gotten you the victory!
With the psalmist I also invoke the whole of nature, the roaring sea and all that fills it, the world and all who live in it, with floods clapping their hands and hills singing together for joy.
Thank you, Lord for thus coming among us, and promising to come again. Amen.
November 21 (Christ the King) – Psalm 46
As one church year ends, O God, and before another begins, I bow to acknowledge your sovereignty. Truly you are our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. And because you are and everlasting King “we will not fear, though the earth should change” or “the mountains shake in the heart of the sea.”
There is, indeed, “ a river whose streams make glad the city of God,” and because you are in the midst of the city “it shall not be moved.” We claim no lesser God. “The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.
You call us in the midst of tumultuous change to “be still” and know you are God, that you are exalted among the nations—indeed, in the whole earth! Teach us to hold to that
truth, and thus manifest the truth of it in our living. Amen.
November 28 (First in Advent) – Psalm 122
As yet another Advent has come at the beginning of a new church year, Lord, help us to enter fully into it with the joy of the psalmist. What better place to wait upon your coming again than in the house where you have promised to be present? Help us with a deep sense of purpose to plant our feet there, even as we hope once again for your coming among us.
Just as ancient tribes kept going up to meet you in ancient Jerusalem—bound firmly together—so may your people today keep going as we wait for the day of your special favor. For the sake of our relatives and friends we will also say, “Peace be within you,” and for the sake of the house of the Lord our God, “we will seek your good.”
Maranatha, Lord. Come quickly!
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