Praying the PsalmsParaugs

Psalm 100

Today it is fitting to conclude our study in joining with the psalmist to celebrate God for who he is and all that he has done!

Have you ever really celebrated God? You know, like a stadium full of screaming fans who are cheering an amazing come-from-behind last-minute championship win? We often are a little more subdued in our worship, aren’t we? Maybe your church services are boisterous, but for most, we might feel a little silly cheering for God like we do for a sports team, right?

Yet here the psalmist encourages us to let it all out! “Shout for joy!” (Psalm 100:1, NIV). Whoop it up! Clap your hands and stomp your feet. Make some noise! This God we worship? He is the One True God. He is the King of all kings! He’s the Creator, the one who made earth with his words and he lovingly formed each one of us. He breathed his life into our lungs!

We are his. We belong to him. Like a cherished lamb to the shepherd or children to their parents. Yes, that’s what we are. We are his children. He loves us deeply. More than we’ll ever know or even imagine.

The psalmist encourages us to give thanks to God each time we worship, each time we bow in prayer before a meal, kneel at our bedside, lay hands on the sick with hope, or walk through the doors of a sanctuary. Can we pause, smile in gratitude, and, at least inside our mind, shout like a crazy football fan?! For God is good. He is faithful. He sits on the throne! Every good gift we have comes from him. He loves us so much! We will never be able to fathom this love for us. The vastness of his grace is incomprehensible. No matter our sin. No matter our failure. No matter our faults. He loves us!

So, let’s shout our praises to God together today!

Prayer

God. Abba. Father.

We shout with joy this morning! Thank you for new days. Thank you for fresh starts. We bring our worship to you, great King! Thank you for putting a song of praise on our lips.

You are God. You are not just a feeling. You are not just some ancient theology. You are alive! You are the One True God. You have always been. Even before time began, you were. And now you are. You formed us. We belong to you. You made us. You have watched over us every day of our lives. You are the only One that can make sense of our world today. We open our hands and ask you to lead us. Guide us. Give us wisdom. Protect us. Take care of us, like a shepherd takes care of his lambs.

Wherever and whenever we worship you, we lift our heads with great gratitude. Yes, we are thankful! You are everything that is right and beautiful. You are generous and gracious. You are love and faithfulness. You are peace and grace. You are forgiveness and comfort. You are joy and patience.

You always have been. And you always will be. We humbly thank you and proclaim our love to you today.

We praise you!

In Jesus’ name.

Amen.

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