Monday September 4, 2023

Today is Monday, September 4 and we are exploring what the Bible says about praising God.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy God, I lift my heart to praise you in the quiet of these morning moments. Speak your truth into my life and circumstances. Enable me to hear the message you have for me today in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I praise God with the words of Psalm 134, the final Psalm of Ascent.

Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. May the LORD bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 134:1-3

Pause and Pray

After Moses led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, guided them through the desert and gave them the Law God provided on Mount Sinai, he finally reached the Promised Land. From the high point of Jericho, Moses looked west. God showed him the land promised to the people’s forefathers – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses saw the vast expanse of beautiful land but did not set foot in it. He died in that place and was buried in the land of Moab. Before his death, he broke out in a song of praise known as the Song of Moses.

Listen, you heavens, and I will speak; hear, you earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32:1-4

At the end of his life, after fulfilling his mission and completing the mighty task with which God entrusted him, Moses broke out in a song of praise. He cried out to the heights of the heavens and the depths of the earth to proclaim God’s goodness to the Creation itself. He praised the greatness of God. In the same way I can lift my praise to God and be grateful for the goodness he brings into my life. He is the Rock I can depend on. He is the Rock I can stand on. God is faithful, righteous, true and just. His ways are perfect and his knowledge is beyond my comprehension.

Ask: When am I inspired to break out in praise to God? What reasons do I have for praising God this morning?

Pause and Pray

Holy and blessed Lord, you are my Rock. I sing the Song of Moses and praise you for your goodness and faithfulness. I praise you for the beauty of your Creation. The earth, the sky, the gentle rain, and the falling dew display your glory. I know that all your ways are just, right and true. Your name is worthy to be praised. I read the words from Deuteronomy again and listen for the message you have for me.

Listen, you heavens, and I will speak; hear, you earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32:1-4

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

The song Moses sang at the end of his life is full of praise. I consider how the Holy Spirit is using the ancient hymn of Moses to stir my heart this morning. Perhaps there is a problem or circumstance that I am not bringing to God but handling on my own. Maybe I am missing an opportunity to praise God and succumbing to negativity instead. I pause to reflect on my past, present and future. How might I turn my reflection into an act of praise – recognizing the many blessings God has poured and will pour into my life?

Pause and Pray

Holy God, show me what it means to live a life of praise. Fill my heart with gratitude for the beauty of Creation, the blessings of relationships and the joy of your sweet presence. Remind me to pause often throughout the day and celebrate the gift of life. Amen.

The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior! 2 Samuel 22:47

I leave this time of prayer with a heart full of praise. I go to glorify God, loving and serving others in his name.

Amen