Good afternoon Children of God! Here is your Wednesday Message:
Wednesday’s Message
September 2, 2020
Wednesday’s Messages now conclude with the last psalm of The Book of Psalms. Psalm 150 serves as an appropriate conclusion to the Psalter as it is a doxology. (That word literally means “word(s) of praise.”) It is also a fitting conclusion for the Wednesday meanderings you have been receiving since March because for the children of God, the final word should always be one of praise of God.
Psalm 150
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament!
God is worthy to be praised at all times and in all places. The psalm demands that such praise issue forth from above (in his mighty firmament) and below (in his sanctuary.) Does that remind you of one of our favorite doxologies written by Thomas Ken in 1674?
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The praise of God below is grounded in the blessings of God that are experienced on earth. Martin Luther asserted that if a person wants to know God it is necessary to search below and not above. The latter experience of God is presently beyond us. But here below, we especially find God in his Son, Jesus. And it is at the cross that Jesus best represents the unconditional, unfathomable love of God that is the source of all blessing.
For now, the praise of God above must be left to the heavenly host. One day, we will join their number.
Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
The Apostle’s Creed is a wonderfully succinct statement of the mighty deeds of God. The three articles of the Creed affirm God as creator, redeemer, and sanctifier of all things. Throughout the Holy Scriptures, upon which the Creed is based, the mighty acts of God are celebrated. It is a time-honored tradition for the children of God to reflect daily upon the blessings of God, to express gratitude, and to share the stories revealing God’s greatness with others.
The greatness which is revealed in the loving work of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is light-years beyond any other greatness that might exist. Therefore, the praise which we give to God should be well above and beyond that given to anyone or anything else.
Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Music is the great accompaniment in the praise of God. Luther called music the “handmaid of God’s word.” It has the capacity to stir the spirit and give voice to the soul. Music delivers God’s word to our hearts and carries our praise to the heart of God.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
I’m struck by the word “everything.” When I hear the birds singing, I think of them as praising God. The same is true with a beautiful sunrise or glorious sunset. The waves of the ocean crashing upon the shore is a hymn of praise and so it goes with the whole of heaven and earth, including us!
When all is said and done, there should be nothing but praise of God. Such is the greatness of God and he is worthy to be praised!
Peace and blessings,
Pastor Bill