Look this way for positivity
Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Bern Leckie:
What did I like about today’s passage?
It’s pretty obvious that life has ups and downs at the moment. Getting ready for Christmas is a stress at the best of times, especially if you need exhaust yourself working to get ready for a little rest, or if the gatherings are more an emotional burden than a relief. Add in the stress of a pandemic and the daily changing rules on how to deal with it, we’re all going to appreciate some good news and positivity. Where do we look for that?
I love these Psalms for reminding me that there is no better source of goodness than God, and perhaps no more positive thing in the world than praising him.
Psalm 145 is a choice to turn this way. “I will exalt you, my God the King,” followed by reminders of God’s character, summed up in one of my favourite verses in the whole Bible: “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.”
Psalm 146 lifts us from sources of disappointment, like trusting other leaders who can’t deliver what God brings, and paints a big picture of hope sustained by God’s faithfulness.
Psalm 147 credits God on every level from the local to the universal, “mighty in power” with dominion over creation as well as personally revealing wisdom to his people.
As songs in a book, they are nice. But what if these words became the authentic expressions of our hearts? How would it change our Christmas, and the rest of our lives, if they did?
What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?
God loves us and wants us to connect with him in praise. He is not like human leaders who crave praise because of their insecurities. Following them is sure to sap our energy in the end. But it’s the reverse with God. He is the best source of security we can find. He wants us to praise him so that we will grow in recognising, enjoying, celebrating and sharing what he is like. This can massively uplift us in the most stressful times.
What am I going to do differently as a result?
On busy days in the immediate part of this season, remember to take time out to pray and praise God! When God answers my prayers for inspiration and strength to get through difficult times, remember how he answered them, so these can feed into my future praise. And when we get to a time of holiday and rest coming soon, I will enjoy resting with God rather than only resting from work, including God-related work!
Who am I going to share this with?
My family and people on the team at church.