Psalm of Praise

March 16, 2016

Opening Hymns:
675 As the Sun Doth Daily Rise http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh675.sht

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
118:1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!

118:2 Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever."

118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.

118:20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.

118:21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.

118:22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

118:23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

118:24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

118:25 Save us, we beseech you, O LORD! O LORD, we beseech you, give us success!

118:26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.

118:27 The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.

118:28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.

118:29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Message:
There are times in our lives where we can’t help but sing praises to the Lord. He has helped us through challenges, answered prayers, and we feel in awe of his greatness. In these moments the words in this Psalm ring true. We can understand the joyous proclamations of praise that the crowd yelled out when Jesus was riding by on a donkey.

Sometimes in our lives these words can seem foreign… we can read the words proclaiming joy, but don’t always feel them in our heart.  Sometimes our life can seemingly be going well, but the joy might not be there. People might not understand why we don’t feel the joy that we should. Other times our life doesn’t seem to be going well, and prayers feel like they are unanswered.  In each of these moments it is comforting to know that the Lord is present with us each step of the way.

Even in the midst of my challenges I can see how God is always with me. Even in times of sorrow, I can always find something to praise the Lord about. Whether it be the morning sunrise, the gentle breeze, or the bird’s song.

Time of Prayer
Lord, thank You for giving us so many reasons to praise Your name. Let us always remember the things that cause us to rejoice in Your glory. Guide us on this day to do Your will. Amen.


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
568 Christ for the World We Sing http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh568.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God