It is easy to complain, to become irritable, to be discontent and melancholy as we view items in the news. War atrocities fill our television screens; trips to the grocery store provoke fear as prices rise and shortages occur, and we tighten our budgets to afford to drive our cars. Perhaps we too are facing medical issues, pain, separation from those we love, concern over COVID once again limiting our times spent together. We’re looking at some negative junk right now, and it can affect our mental health.
Motivational speakers tell us to “buck up!” Things could be a lot worse, and have been in history. But the pain we’re feeling is very real, and we would be naive Pollyannas to ignore it.
However, for those of us who embrace Christianity, there are many lessons to be learned, and we can indeed bolster each other up in times of trial such as now. One obvious strategy is the constant reminder that God is sovereign, that He is working His purpose out, that He is urging us to come to Him, the source of comfort, peace, sustenance, and provision. We can rely on other Christians, for working together in unity, we can overcome obstacles when we get our selfish attitudes out of the way. Susie Larson writes on my little desk calendar for today called “Blessings for Every Day, “When you’re tempted to indulge in melancholy or discontentment, may you instead jump up, raise your hands, and thank God for His daily and divine intervention in your life. May your humble gratitude give you keen spiritual insight and restful peace.” And, as we come to Holy Week, may we join fellow worshipers this coming weekend in Palm Sunday worship and praise. As we come to the end of Lent, I invite you to read and think about “My Psalm 329, Praise and Worship.”
MY PSALM 329 PRAISE AND WORSHIP
Almighty God, Everlasting Lord, King of the Universe,
I praise You this Lord’s Day for Your very presence
Every moment of every day and night,
And the joy of my salvation as Your child.
Thank You for Your hedge of protection,
For being the Rock of my Salvation
And my Eternal Hope.
Thank You for Your guidance for my family
And most recently for two friends
I have entrusted to Your care.
I thank You for establishing new homes,
I thank You for creating new horizons
Where there was no hope.
I thank You for provision
Of the very basics: food, shelter, health
And for adding the blessings of joy
Through suffering and pain,
That showing me this life is but temporary,
And these life-tragedies are but delays
Until we are united in Your heavenly halls
Where Light shines eternally and tears are wiped away.
I rejoice that Your people are gathering,
Even this Sabbath moment,
All around Your world to worship You in spirit and in truth.
From steamy jungles to storefronts,
From forest campsites to vast cathedrals
Voices rise in adoration and praise to You, Eternal God.
I pray for our pastors, priests, laymen, and all worshippers
That Your Spirit will enliven, enrich,
Encourage, and magnify our worship.
I pray that the Word of truth
Will be spoken, sung, and prayed,
That every soul will find reverence,
Refreshment, revival
And that where men are silent,
All of creation will cry out to praise Your Name.
As dew, raindrops, and torrents
Bring Your blessing to a world
Which so needs cleansing and new growth,
Encourage us this day,
That we may see signs of Your blessings
In the little things, and in the giant miraculous blessings You provide.
Where there is conflict, where there is discord,
Where there is absence of peace,
I pray Your Holy Spirit will initiate
Recovery, restoration, cooperation, and concord.
Where there is selfishness, hatred, prejudice, mistrust
I pray Your Holy Spirit will renew a right spirit
And baptize with the cleansing of Your grace
That resurrection can come in relationships,
Bringing peace and concord and satisfaction
Beyond man’s ability to understand,
Bringing joy where there was none.
Remind us yet again that Your Son, Jesus,
Came to us as Prince of Peace,
And that the world denied Him,
And is now filled with discord, distrust, and conflict.
We pray we can be used by You
To promote the love of others
Which You command
As we love You first, and love our neighbors as ourselves.
Fill us with Your Presence, this day, ‘til our very souls
Utter what our tongues cannot perfectly speak:
“Hallelujah, Lord of All,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! Amen!”
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