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Opening Prayer
Ponder the beauty and greatness of creation and then take time to thank and praise God, the creator, for it.
Read Psalm 147:1-20
[1] Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! [2] The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. [3] He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. [4] He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. [5] Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. [6] The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. [7] Sing to the LORD with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. [8] He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. [9] He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. [10] His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; [11] the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. [12] Extol the LORD, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion. [13] He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. [14] He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat. [15] He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. [16] He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. [17] He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? [18] He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow. [19] He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. [20] He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws. Praise the LORD. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What are some reasons given to praise the Lord?One of the great things about being a Christian, I say to people who ask me, is that we are part of a bigger story. However bad or difficult things seem to be, our reading of the Bible and our understanding of history puts it into context. What a relief, then, to rediscover that the God we follow is faithful to deliver much of what we’ve been challenged about again this week (3,5). There’s nothing new under the sun, says the proverb (see Eccles. 1:9), and whatever stuff is going on for you at home or work, our Creator knows about it (1-6).
When austerity is the watchword of the nation, and our culture is one of fear, it’s important to remember again that God is generous (7-9). And what does he expect of us (11)?
But this is not any old creation myth. This history includes God, his story and our engagement with his Word, the Bible (12-20). Whatever is going on for you this week, remember: “Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” (Psa. 147:1, TNIV).
Apply
Read the psalm again and for Jerusalem substitute the name of the place where you live, and pray for it.
Closing prayer
Lord, it is, indeed, good to praise You. I thank You that You are faithful to care for me and for all Your creation.
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