1 Chronicles 16:23-27 (ESV)
“Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvellous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendour and majesty are before Him; strength and joy are in His place.”
Reflection:
These verses have various action words in them: “Sing”, “Tell”, “Declare”. Praising God isn’t something we can do passively or (only) on the inside. It isn’t meant for us; it is meant for God and – as we read above – for those around us to know His glory. Praise is a declaration of who God is and what He has done. It proclaims truth and hope. In these times when our hearts may feel weary or at war, afraid or anxious, overwhelmed or utterly helpless, praise announces to our soul, our neighbours, the spiritual forces of evil, that God is the LORD. There is none higher than Him, none more worthy of praise, none to be feared but Him. What can this declaration of praise look like in our personal lives in this season? In our homes, but also in our communities? Is my daily declaration one of fear and complaint or of trust and truth of who God is?
Prayer outline:
Father God, You are the great I AM. You are the LORD and “greatly to be praised”. Though the earth may give way and the mountains may be shaken, You, oh God, are unshakeable. Your covenant with Your people is everlasting. Your promises are true and will come to pass. Holy Spirit, stir a new song of praise in our hearts in this time of uncertainty. Guide us to make Your glory known in all the earth. Jesus, be magnified, we pray. Amen.