11th. May. 2022. Daily Devotion.
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. 12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. 13 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness. Psalm 96:11-13
Come and let us sing a new song—a song about the King who will establish a kingdom that will bring order and stability into our lives and our world, a kingdom that is firm and solid.
This King is none other than our God, the King of justice, righteousness, and peace. All creation sings this new song: the heavens, the earth, the sea and all its creatures, the fields and all their wildlife—even the trees catch the beat and “sing for joy.”
It shouldn’t surprise us to know that the message of this psalm is the same good news proclaimed by Jesus: God reigns! “The kingdom of God has come near” (Mark 1:15). And like the preaching of Jesus, this psalm calls for a decision; it invites us to submit to God’s sovereignty, to enter the reign of God: “Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15).
There is also a challenge to us in this psalm. The God who reigns insists on justice, righteousness, and peace in the lives of all people. God cares about how men and women live. God’s people are to live faithfully, proclaiming the truth of his kingship over all even as they live in a world that would like to pretend God is not its King.
The Lord our God is King! Joy to the world—our King has come! Thea Leunk.
Joy to world, Lord Jesus, for you came to judge the world with truth, to bring justice, and to reign with righteousness everywhere. Alleluia! Amen.
Prayer on a Spring Day
Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today; And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here All simply in the springing of the year. Amen. ~from A Prayer in Spring by Robert Frost.
Prayer to Stand Together in Service
Heavenly Father, make me an instrument of your grace. Weave my life together with the lives of all who confess the name of your Son, Jesus, into a holy garment to cover the world; let us be as stones in a great lighthouse to guide the entire world to you, to your love and your forgiveness. Help us to overcome differences that come from our sinful nature, so that we may be welded together in a holy priesthood, standing as a testimony to purity, goodness, and forgiveness. Bless me and those who pray with me now, that although we cannot see or hear one another, we may be bonded in your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty God, ruler of all, we pray for those who are in conflict especially Ukraine. Take away prejudice, cruelty, and revenge. Grant that barriers which divide may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease, through Jesus Christ our mediator. Amen.