Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Today’s Scripture Reading  |  Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
   Worship the Lord with gladness;
   come into his presence with singing.

Know that the Lord is God.
   It is he that made us, and we are his;
   we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
   and his courts with praise.
   Give thanks to him, bless his name.

For the Lord is good;
   his steadfast love endures forever,
   and his faithfulness to all generations. (NRSV)

Reflection
The Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Confession—which is one of the twelve Confessions adopted by the Presbyterian Church (USA)—begins with the question, “What is the chief end of man (humanity)?” The answer given is “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy God forever.” The Scripture references cited for this answer include

1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”

Romans 11:36: “For from God and through God and to God are all things. To God be the glory forever.”

Psalm 73:24-26: “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me with honor. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

John 17:22, 24 (Jesus’ prayer for his disciples): “The glory you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one. . . . Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”

Psalm 100 could also have been cited, because it describes how to enjoy God. Praise and sing to God, make a joyful noise to God, worship God with gladness and thanksgiving, bless God’s name. Even if our day hasn’t gone well, if we turn to God with thankful hearts, joy can be stirred within us. What more could make your heart dance than to remember that God is good and God’s love endures forever?

Prayer
Deepen my enjoyment of you, God, all of my days. Amen.

Written by Victoria G. Curtiss, Associate Pastor for Mission

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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