Look to the Lord
Sunday 13th August 2023
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done (Psalm 105:1-5a)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This Psalm reminds us that there is so much to give thanks to the LORD for: that through Jesus, we can look to this same LORD and his strength for all that we face each day (vs.4); that we can seek God’s face, enjoying communion with the LORD who made us and loves us and reigns over all! God’s people are called to remember the wonders he has done (vs.5) and the rest of the Psalm reflects on this.
If I am honest, I am slow to remember and quick to forget what the LORD has done in my life. I need to actively call to mind the ways that the LORD has been good to me, to cultivate this thankfulness in my life. The helpful book ‘Every Moment Holy’ has been reminding me of how every moment of my life is to be devoted to God – there are no ‘secular’ spaces. As it says:
“O peoples of God! Remember your God! Remember him in all places. Remember him at all times. Remember his grace and his love. Remember his comfort and his mercy. Remember his beauty and his wonder. Remember his instruction and his holiness. He is here. He is with you every moment. Every moment is holy.”
The book has a liturgy for a whole variety of different things that we do – from changing nappies (!) to going on holiday to planting flowers or for those who cannot sleep. A whole variety of different occasions. But that’s the point!
Some of you may be on holiday at the moment, or taking things a bit slower over the summer. I thought this prayer from the book might be particularly applicable during this summer season. You might like to pray it now, whatever you are doing:
Leader: O Christ our Sabbath, you have fashioned us to function best
In rhyming lines of work and rest; our relaxations and our recreations
Like unspoken invitations to that still greater holiday to come –
when all our burdens will at last be shed, and weariness be put to bed
And gladsome joy stretch endlessly before us.
Everyone: Bless now, O Lord, this happy foretaste of that good end! Amen
With love in Christ,
Ben Wells (Associate Minister)