I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name. Psalm 63:4  

Joyfully give thanks to the Father who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. Colossians 1:11-12  

What a beautiful morning we have today. The sun is shining, there are fluffy clouds, and birds are singing. At the same time we are really in need of rain. Flowers and vegetables we can water regularly look great. Farmers’ fields are drying up. We see both beauty and wonder in nature, at the same time we see problems. Our climate is warming, bees that we depend on for pollination are in trouble. All around us we see this contrast – things going well, things not going well.  

One thing is constant in all of this. Our Creator God is there with us whether things are going well or not so well. In Psalm 63 David is worried as he is again out in the desert, in fear of his enemies. The Psalm includes his longing for God, for the security God offers when those enemies are at hand. In the midst of all this worrying and fretting he praises God. He tells God that he, David, will continue to bless Him, and call on Him throughout his life. No matter what happens he will praise God – lifting up his hands in praise.  

Paul too tells us that we need to joyfully give thanks to God. We too can lift up our hands in jubilant praise (not something we do too often as Lutherans) and sing praises to our Lord. This can be hard to do when things are going wrong. Then we often forget to praise and thank God when things are going well. God has already given us a share of the saints' inheritance, He has already given us salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. Our response then can only be joyful praise and thanksgiving.  

Glorious God, we could sing of your love forever for no other is deserving of our praise. We could sing of your grace forever. You are most wonderful and holy. May our songs of praise to you never cease! Help us to praise you with acts of service, love and mercy. Amen. 

Chris Gabel 

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party