When I served as my mom’s live-in caregiver at a cancer center, I
got to know Lori, another caregiver who lived down the hallway from us
with her husband, Frank. I would chat, laugh, vent, cry, and pray with
Lori in the shared living areas. We enjoyed supporting each other as we
cared for our loved ones.
One day, I missed the free shuttle that took residents to buy groceries. Lori offered to drive me to the store later that evening. With grateful tears, I accepted her offer. “Thanks for being you,” I said. I truly appreciated her for who she was as a person, not just for what she did for me as a friend.
Psalm 100 demonstrates an appreciation of God for who He is, not simply for all He does. The psalmist invites “all the earth” (v. 1) to “worship the Lord with gladness” (v. 2), being confident in knowing “the Lord is God” (v. 3). Our Maker invites us into His presence to “give thanks to him and praise his name” (v. 4). Yes, the Lord remains worthy of our ongoing thankfulness because He “is good,” His “love endures forever,” and His “faithfulness continues through all generations” (v. 5).
God will always be the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and our intimately loving Father. He deserves our genuine joy-filled gratitude.
One day, I missed the free shuttle that took residents to buy groceries. Lori offered to drive me to the store later that evening. With grateful tears, I accepted her offer. “Thanks for being you,” I said. I truly appreciated her for who she was as a person, not just for what she did for me as a friend.
Psalm 100 demonstrates an appreciation of God for who He is, not simply for all He does. The psalmist invites “all the earth” (v. 1) to “worship the Lord with gladness” (v. 2), being confident in knowing “the Lord is God” (v. 3). Our Maker invites us into His presence to “give thanks to him and praise his name” (v. 4). Yes, the Lord remains worthy of our ongoing thankfulness because He “is good,” His “love endures forever,” and His “faithfulness continues through all generations” (v. 5).
God will always be the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and our intimately loving Father. He deserves our genuine joy-filled gratitude.
Lord, thanks for being You!
INSIGHT
Psalm 100 echoes the words of Psalm 95. Both begin with an appeal to shout for joy and together call for a resounding celebration in song to the God of gods, Yahweh. This personal name of Israel’s God is translated in English versions as Lord.But beyond their similarities, the two songs tell a different story. While Psalm 95 attempts to rouse a nation that has lost its joy (vv. 7–11), Psalm 100 invites the whole earth to erupt in shouts of praise and songs of mirth. At least fourteen times the songwriter of Psalm 100 points to this God of gods by name or pronoun. With every line the psalmist invites people of all nations to enter into the presence of One who is infinitely more to be praised than was seen in the lagging joy of His dearly loved and chosen people.
What a beautiful story, friendship is so special. I am so grateful for some of the people in my life, that truly respect and care about me always reaching out and checking in to see how I am. Those are the people we are to keep close to us, people who fill us up with positivity, and love as well as point us towards the Lord. It sounds like from this devotional that these woman had such a wonderful bond and Lori impacted her life in such a positive way. I think these are ordained and God Given friendships, friendships to hang onto. Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteOur friends can be life-saving blessings... and we may not realize that WE might be the life-saving blessing to someone else! Our students are bombarded constantly with the "right" way of doing things - someone else's way of being/doing/acting. I pray we can be an example for them, simply being ourselves, as God intended!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great that God is the way he is? Good, Great, Glorious... God is true to himself. We should be too!
ReplyDelete