Monday, May 29, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading
Psalm 135

Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord; give praise, O servants of the Lord,

you that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for he is gracious.

For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession.

For I know that the Lord is great; our Lord is above all gods.

Whatever the Lord pleases he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.

He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth; he makes lightnings for the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, both human beings and animals;

he sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants.

He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings —

Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan —

and gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to his people Israel.

Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages.

For the Lord will vindicate his people, and have compassion on his servants.

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands.

They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see;

they have ears, but they do not hear, and there is no breath in their mouths.

Those who make them and all who trust them shall become like them.

O house of Israel, bless the Lord! O house of Aaron, bless the Lord!

O house of Levi, bless the Lord! You that fear the Lord, bless the Lord!

Blessed be the Lord from Zion, he who resides in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord! (NRSV)

Reflection
“Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord; give praise, O servants of the Lord,
you that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to the Lord’s name, for the Lord is gracious.”

I love the opening of this psalm. It reminds me of the “God moments” that I have had over the years through music, whether they be through listening or performing. I love the goosebumps and the rush of emotion and rush of tears (usually try to hold those back if I’m performing), and that feeling of God being with me through the music that I am experiencing.

While we have the opportunity to praise our gracious Lord through music on Sunday mornings, what are other ways that we can continue to praise the Lord throughout the week? I feel that even the simplest deed — a hello, holding a door, helping out a stranger is a way we can praise our Lord.

There is a CPS Safe Passage worker that I see most days to and from school. We have become friends over the years, and he always takes a moment of his time to stop and chat. He also connects with every single person that walks by on the sidewalk, waves to the cars and buses that drive by, and makes everyone feel loved and valued. He praises God in every single action, and it’s a beautiful thing to witness.

Where will we meet God this week? In a child? In a stranger? In a friend or neighbor? And how will we make an effort to praise our Lord, in big or simple ways?

Prayer
Grace-filled and loving God, I thank you for all that you bless me with and for the people that show your love and praise to me. Help me to find ways to praise you this week and to be a witness of your love and grace to others. Amen.

Written by Briana Belding-Peck, Family Ministry Coordinator

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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