God's Love

 When Moses asked to see God’s glory (Exodus 34), God proclaimed the phrase in verse 8. It is one of the most quoted sayings in the Old Testament. There is no greater manifestation of His glory than His compassionate love for all. Jonah quoted it back to God in anger (Jonah 4:2) because God showed compassion to a race Jonah despised. God replied that He even cared about the Ninevite’s animals, the truth of verse 9. Celebrate His abundant goodness! 

STUDY THE SCRIPTURE

 

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REFLECTION

 

Let Every Creature Praise His Holy Name

by Tom Richards

This is a psalm (song) of praise written by David.  Like many of the psalms there is a definite structure to Psalm 145.  It is an alphabetic acrostic in the original language, and per my Concordia Study Bible notes -- “Between the two line introduction (vv. 1-2) and one line conclusion (v. 21), four poetic paragraphs develop as many themes, each introduced with a thematic line (see vv. 3, 8, 13b, 17).”  Verse 3 highlights God’s greatness.  Verse 8 highlights God’s grace.  Verse 13b highlights God’s faithfulness.  Verse 17 highlights God’s righteousness. 

In addition to identifying these characteristics of God and praising him accordingly, David also talks about how we can learn of such things and share them with others.  In verse 4 he states “One generation will commend your works to another”.  In verses 10 and 11 he says “All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you.  11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might”.   And in verse 21 David says “My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.  Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.”

In October we witnessed several baptisms at Mill Run.  As part of the ceremony, the parents (and sponsors) promised to teach their children about God and his kingdom and the congregation promised to support them in that effort -- ultimately doing what David says in verse 4; “One generation will commend your works to another”.  Throughout the bible we see how God’s people followed this model, telling others how he has worked in history to deliver his people.  This is a huge part of the story of the Church, one generation sharing with another, and believers sharing with those who do not believe.  While we may not all have the gift of evangelism, we do have the gift of being part of the Christian family.  This gives us the opportunity to “speak in praise of the Lord” so others might be lifted up. 

Paul references this necessity in Romans 10: 14-15 “4 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Father, like David, we praise you for your greatness, grace, faithfulness, and righteousness.  Help us to be faithful in sharing your truth with succeeding generations and those who have not heard.  Let our feet be proclaimed as “Beautiful”!!  Amen.

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER

Tuesdays - UNITY: God of peace, we pray for de-polarized, non-defensive pursuit of truth, unity, and equality. We pray for well engaged minds. Set us free from the competing narratives of our culture wars that funnel us into opposing camps and make of us a house divided. Kindle in us a desire for your truth that is larger than our desire to have been right.