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1 Hallelujah! It's a good thing to sing praise to our God; praise is beautiful, praise is fitting. 2 God's the one who rebuilds Jerusalem, who regathers Israel's scattered exiles. 3 He heals the heartbroken and bandages their wounds. 4 He counts the stars and assigns each a name. 5 Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; we'll never comprehend what he knows and does 6 God puts the fallen on their feet again and pushes the wicked into the ditch. 7 Sing to God a thanksgiving hymn, play music on your instruments to God, 8 Who fills the sky with clouds, preparing rain for the earth, Then turning the mountains green with grass, 9 feeding both cattle and crows. 10 He's not impressed with horsepower; the size of our muscles means little to him. 11 Those who fear God get God's attention; they can depend on his strength. 12 Jerusalem, worship God! Zion, praise your God! 13 He made your city secure, he blessed your children among you. 14 He keeps the peace at your borders, he puts the best bread on your tables. 15 He launches his promises earthward - how swift and sure they come! 16 He spreads snow like a white fleece, he scatters frost like ashes, 17 He broadcasts hail like birdseed - who can survive his winter? 18 Then he gives the command and it all melts; he breathes on winter - suddenly it's spring! 19 He speaks the same way to Jacob, speaks words that work to Israel. 20 He never did this to the other nations; they never heard such commands. Hallelujah! (Psalm 147 The Message Bible)
Happy Thursday, dear Friend! May this find you well and blessed. Please continue to lift up your prayers for the needs of the world, the needs of your neighbor, and the needs of your community. Pray that God be glorified in you right now and always!
There is nothing sweeter, in my opinion than a baby learning to sing. And what is awesome they've not yet heard any negativity about their voice and so their singing is full-out and joyful. And leave it to the psalmist to share this psalm in his usual, "Get busy and join me in praising God!" charge. Thus, the title for today's devotional, "Start with a Shout!" and adds, "It's a good thing to sing praise to God; praise is beautiful, praise is fitting." God deserves it because God has done so much for us; He's a God of rebuilding, regathering, healing, and bandaging. He knows the number of stars and assigns each a name. He has limitless strength, and we will never fully comprehend all that God knows and does. So, start singing and make it real!
Dear friends, this is a blueprint for daily living. We should start our day with praise. Yes, most of us are satisfied to begin our day with grunts and moans; but imagine how sweeter we might be if we started with praise? Our first response to the day and to the world should be joyful, loud praise to He Who makes each day possible. Take a moment to enjoy the beauty and the awesomeness that surrounds us.
Our day should then move to prayer that seeks healing and restoration for ourselves, our loved ones, and those who have asked prayers from us. We should keep ever before us the knowledge that God loves us all and it cannot be contained to specific areas or behind walls, and God is all about offering solace and hope to those who are hurting.
And at least once a day make time to appreciate you. There is a vastness to you and the significance you bring to the world. And by world I mean, that sphere of influence you have; family, friends, coworkers, etc. You are truly a cherished creation of God, loved by He who is the artist Who made you and Who loves you very much. Remember, He also made the stars.
Then, become a part of the symphony of praise going on all around you. We should express our gratitude with words, but also with actions, choices, and our very presence in the world. We are called to be witnesses to the goodness of God. We can be, and should be, walking, talking sermons that point to God.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the vibrant canvas of Your creation, for the strength You offer in times of weakness, and for the love that binds us all together. Open our hearts to sing your praises, not just with our lips, but with our lives. May we be instruments of your love, radiating joy and hope in a world that needs your song; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Be a voice in the chorus of praise, a testament to God's love, and a brushstroke on the magnificent canvas of His creation.
I love you and thank God for you,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
