1 Chronicles 16:28-34 (ESV)
“Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for He comes to judge the earth. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!”
Reflection:
What strikes me so much in this passage is that praising God is something that not only we as humans were created to do, but all of creation. Everything God has created declares His splendour, His majesty, His greatness. He is so worthy of praise and adoration that even the rocks would cry out if we stayed silent (Lk. 19:40). We see God revealed through His creation as it sings and testifies of His goodness and favour. What a God is this, that everything His hands have made declares His glory?! And this God chose you and me to be the crown of His creation. This God chose you and me to be vessels of His love, peace, joy, righteousness, hope, glory. Let us declare, along with all of creation, that “The Lord reigns!”
Prayer outline:
God, You are truly worthy of all the power and the glory and the majesty forever and ever. Creation sings of Your splendour. In this time of turmoil all around us, help us to choose to declare Your praises, along with the works of Your hands. Holy Spirit, raise up a song among the nations that “The Lord reigns!” Thank You for Your faithfulness and Your goodness toward us. Thank You for the strength that is found in Your joy. May Your joy abide in us at this time so that “our joy may be complete” (John 15:11). Let Your joy be made known through us at this time, oh God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.