by Desiree Bustamante

Remember to pray and praise!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

“Praise the Lord!

I will thank the Lord with all my heart
    as I meet with his godly people.
How amazing are the deeds of the Lord!
    All who delight in him should ponder them.
Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty.
    His righteousness never fails.
He causes us to remember his wonderful works.
    How gracious and merciful is our Lord!”
Psalm 111:2-4 New Living Translation

With disheartening events consuming this year, we may spend more time feeling bewildered and frightened than in the past. As we rightly ask God for His help, we may forget to praise God for His goodness to us amid our discouragement.

Then we often see that the world’s view of God in a tumultuous time is not that of a powerful King, gracious Savior or loving Heavenly Father. It angers or upsets us that many people don’t see God, the all-powerful, unconditionally loving and compassionate God.

That feeling is not new. David felt the same way and addressed this in his psalm:

“O nations of the world, recognize the LORD;
recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong.
Give to the LORD the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come into his courts.
Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor.
Let all the earth tremble before him.
Tell all the nations, “The LORD reigns!”
The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
He will judge all peoples fairly.”
Psalm 96: 7-10 New Living Translation 

Whenever you see the contempt or disregard the world has for God, turn this psalm into a prayer for those who don’t recognize their Creator and Savior. Also take these verses into your heart and praise Him, for our great and almighty God is most worthy of praise!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado