Saturday, December 4

Isaiah 4:2-6

Psalms 20, 21, 110, 116, and 117

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Luke 21:5-19

Psalm 117

In reading Psalm 117 and considering its meaning and significance, I have to say that it is the beautiful simplicity of the psalm that really appeals to me. I get this visual image of people around the globe reaching out, grasping hands, and joining together with one common desire…to praise God. I guess it’s the teacher in me that prompts me to imagine this looking something like a construction paper chain of cut out people, connected at the hands, that you might see stretching across an elementary classroom wall. My vision includes smiling faces and people of all different races putting aside whatever differences may exist, quieting the noise of daily life, and finding time to just be still and to experience together the joy that comes from knowing that great is God’s love for us.

You know, I don’t think the psalm is really meant to encourage just one spectacular moment of world-wide praise though…as awesome as that moment might be. Instead, I think it’s more a recipe for what each day in each of our lives should be: many moments of offering praise, sometimes in the company of others and sometimes in solitude.

There are certain times of day that I find myself more easily able to slow my pace and have conversations with God. When I wake up in the morning and enjoy my coffee while the rest of my family is still sleeping and the house is quiet…as I walk my dogs and let them off their leashes to run free through the field of tall grasses in our neighborhood…when I watch our children, Lauren and Kevin, often without them even aware, as they show compassion and appreciation for one another…something that is beginning to happen more frequently now as they grow and mature.

It is during these brief moments of quiet thought and observation, that I find myself praising God and in doing so, my heart is filled with joy and my soul with a deep contentment that I can’t get from anywhere else. In praising Him, the funny thing is, I’m rewarded as well. I find a peace that helps me in facing whatever challenges the day might bring. In giving glory to God, I am lifted up and filled with His strength.

It’s a wonderful arrangement and isn’t a limited time offer. No…as the psalm also proclaims, “The Lord is faithful forever.” What an amazing thing to consider…that we will be loved by God faithfully and FOREVER.

Praise the Lord indeed!

Beth McGee