Tuesday September 5, 2023

Today is Tuesday, September 5 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.

As I begin a new day, I praise God with the ancient words of Psalm 30.

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever. Psalm 30:11-12

Pause and Pray

The prophet Isaiah foretold what the long awaited Messiah will do. The “Anointed One” will be known by a ministry of comfort and transformation. The Messiah will bring people into new life- healed, comforted and freed. Jesus chose to read this passage at the beginning of his ministry in the synagogue of his hometown of Nazareth (Luke 4:16-20). This reading established his identity. He is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. He is God’s Son. He is the One to bring good news, healing and freedom. He is the One to bring God’s transformation to a broken world and lost humanity.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:1-3a

The life of Jesus is worthy of my praise. He is the proclamation of good news for which the world longs. He binds the broken heart, sets the prisoner free, lifts the darkness, and comforts those who grieve. He turns mourning to joy and despair to hope. I consider how Jesus has healed my heart of past wounds, how he has set me free from things that bind me, how he has turned darkness to light and made the crooked straight. I praise God for his Son Jesus.

Ask: In what ways has Jesus Christ been my Savior? How do I express my praise to God for the gift of his Son Jesus?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, thank you for being my Savior and friend. I lay my life before you and ask you to heal what is broken, free what is bound, shine light on the dark places, comfort my lonely heart, and relieve my grief. Dress me with a crown of beauty, the oil of joy and a garment of praise. All honor, glory and praise are yours. I read the words from Isaiah again and listen for the message you have for me.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:1-3a

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

As I ruminate on the words of Isaiah, I consider the times in my life when God brought beauty from ashes. The tragic circumstances of mourning that found moments of joy. The times of praise while wallowing in a pit of despair. When nothing else could heal my broken heart, the love of Christ did. When nothing else could comfort my tears, the love of Christ did. When nothing else could set me free from my transgressions, the love of Christ did. When nothing else could move me forward, the love of Christ did.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, I have so much to be thankful for. I praise you for your goodness and love. Thank you for lifting me out of darkness and into your wonderful light. I will praise your name as long as I live and celebrate a life rescued from sin and death. I place my hope in you. Amen.

As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. Psalm 71:14

I leave this time of prayer and go to praise God for his good and wonderful gifts.

Amen