Tuesday 26th May | Richard Barber
Readings
Reflection
I don’t know about you but, as this period of lockdown has gone on, I’ve been ever more appreciative of the simple gift of being able to go outside. I don’t think I’m alone in that. Whether I’ve been listening to the radio or talking with friends, there seems to be a growing appreciation for the gift of being able to simply get outside when less people are there and take in a little bit more of what surrounds us. I’ve found this striking and I think Psalm 98 speaks into why this might be the case.
Verses 1-6 of Psalm 98 are all about how people worship God. It begins in verses 1-3 with talking about how God’s chosen people Israel rightly worship him for love and faithfulness. Verses 4-6 then detail the worship that is offered to God by people from all ends of the earth which shows that the God of Israel is not just for Israel but for everyone.
However, the Psalm doesn’t stop there. Notice what happens in verse 7. Creation joins in! The seas roar. The rivers clap their hands. The hills sing for joy. I can’t help but think that part of the reason why we’re growing to love the simple pleasure of being outside is because, in the absence of all the usual distractions, we’re becoming acutely aware of the worship that is being offered by the world as well as the people in it. Don’t get me wrong, worshipping with other people is great and it’s costly when we’re unable to do it but the fact is worship as we typically know it isn’t an option at this point in time. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t worship at all. There’s a massive praise party going on outside. Let’s get out there and join in!
Prayers
Dear God,
We thank you that despite all that is going on you are still good and you are still worthy of praise!
We thank you for your creation and the way in which it points us to you!
Would you be with us as we deal with the difficulties of this time but would you also cause us to join Creation’s song of worship that is always being sung.
Would you fill us with your spirit and remind us daily of who you are and all that you’ve done for us.
Amen!
Collect
Almighty God,
Whose servant Augustine was sent as the apostle
Of the English people:
Grant that as he laboured in the Spirit
To preach Christ’s gospel in this land,
So all who hear the good news
May strive to make your truth known in all the world;
Through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
Who is alive and reigns with you,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever.
Amen.
