The unbroken chain of testimony and praise
Daily Scripture
Psalm 22:22, 28-31, Psalm 145:1-4
(This week we share videos highlighting ways members of the Resurrection family have shared faith. Today Pastor Bill Gepford reflects on all of the ways Resurrection has shaped his life of service to God.)
Psalm 22
22 I will publicly announce your name to my brothers and sisters.
I will praise you in the middle of the assembly.
28 Because the right to rule belongs to the LORD,
he rules all nations.
29 Indeed, all the earth’s powerful
will worship him;
all who are descending to the dust
will kneel before him;
my being also lives for him.
30 Future descendants will serve him;
generations to come will be told about my LORD.
31 They will proclaim God’s righteousness
to those not yet born,
telling them what God has done.
Psalm 145
1 I will lift you up high, my God, the true king.
I will bless your name forever and always.
2 I will bless you every day.
I will praise your name forever and always.
3 The LORD is great and so worthy of praise!
God’s greatness can’t be grasped.
4 One generation will praise your works to the next one,
proclaiming your mighty acts.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1 on the cross. We don’t always realize those words were from a Psalm, one in which the final verses we quote today went on to express trust in God. Most people have days when we “just don’t feel like giving thanks.” Verse 2 of today’s second reading said thanks and praise is a choice, not a reaction to shifting feelings: “I will bless you every day.” Daily praise, a resolute focus on praising God’s mighty works, was an important reality to share with the next generation, and all future ones.
- “We hear in Mark and Matthew the first words of Psalm 22 on Jesus’ lips as he is being executed. We hear in Hebrews 2 the opening words of the last third of the psalm on the lips of the risen Jesus as he says, “I will publicly announce your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you in the middle of the assembly.” * The honest expression of pain in Psalm 22:1 did not rule out trust in God’s goodness. How can you integrate both aspects of the psalm in your spiritual life?
- If you don’t already have one, take steps to create a daily habit of praising and blessing God. What tools do you already use to remind you of appointments and commitments, as well as your life rhythms? Create a “praise God every day” reminder in whatever tool works best for you. Depending on your rhythms, you might want to include time to praise and bless God when you awake, on your commute to or from work or school, during your lunch hour or as you go to bed.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, it’s Tuesday, not Sunday. Help me to praise and bless you today, to start or continue doing that every day, and not just when I go to church. Amen.
GPS Insights
L:ydia Kim
Lydia Kim serves as one of the pastors of Connection and Care at Resurrection Leawood. An avid believer that growing in faith pairs well with fellowship and food, she is always ready for recommendations on local restaurants and coffee shops.
My parents did not grow up in Christian households, but I am the byproduct of generations who lived a life of praise. How is this possible, you ask? It is because of the faithfulness of those in the church who became my older cousins, aunties and uncles, and even grandmas and grandpas. These faithful followers of Christ loved on my family with their home-cooked meals when my brother got sick, worked at my parent’s drycleaners when my mom was recovering from surgery, gave up their Saturday nights to faithfully teach my angst-filled teenage self, and prayed every morning so I could get into seminary.
These individuals walked with God not only when things were great, but they walked with God when times were tough. I am still amazed at how they would care for our family when they were also going through difficult seasons. Yet, that was their way of acknowledging God’s blessings, and they didn’t hold back on sharing that with others. In doing so, they shared Christ with me.
Not everyone grows up in the church, but I believe that even if you did not, you too can impact future generations, starting now. If you don’t have a regular practice, starting your morning with prayer, remembering your baptism in the shower, or reading the GPS on your lunch break might impact someone’s life. Whatever tool you choose, I pray it will draw you and others closer to God.
© 2024 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* John Goldingay, Psalms for Everyone, Part 1: Psalms 1–72. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2013, p. 74.
