September 13, 2023 — Psalm 135

“Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD;

give praise, O servants of the LORD, you that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God. Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing to his name, for he is gracious. For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession. For I know that the LORD is great; our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth; he makes lightnings for the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, both human beings and animals; he sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants. He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings—Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan—and gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to his people Israel. Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages. For the LORD will vindicate his people, and have compassion on his servants.” (Verses 1-14)

I know there are people who pray in their car, or pray as they’re getting ready to go to work, and even pray every single place that allows such devotion. These are good habits for those who can focus, but for people like me, it often is not that easy. I must have longer moments of quiet time to remain focused. It’s how my brain works within the structure of my day. More importantly, it’s what I need. You however, you may be able to use that time more efficiently than I — for that may be how your brain works.

And now, in this post Covid19 ravaged world, the reality is that our losses and struggles every day may outweigh the praise we can offer on a daily basis. We get consumed and overwhelmed with school schedules, work from home distractions, or anxiety attacks about finances and the cost of living. If we are going to get any time to pray or hold devotions, we are going to need to force ourselves to reflect. 

There are many times throughout my week where I sit down at my desk and before the first key is pressed on my IPad, I sit back and offer up a prayer as my heart feels the need. And opening with praise, as Psalm 135 does, offering up praise before we even think about what it is we need, or who needs our prayers that day, well, that little offering of praise can change the course of our thinking.  It changes the mindset of the burdens of the day.

For each of us, there are many reasonable and logical reasons why we should praise G-d. There is purpose to why the psalmist opens and closes with praise. For it pulls back the veil of our needy thinking and draws all attention to the One who holds the answers, who has the capability to intervene, and most of all, unconditional love for all.

Let us Pray:

Lord God, great are your deeds; you have shattered the powers of evil and have shown compassion to your servants. Keep us from being deceived by idols, for there is no god like you, and your renown endures from age to age. Blessed are you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Amen.

Pastor Dave